Employee of the Month
Click here to view previous employee's of the month.
June 2026 Employee of the Month - McKinley Rider
McKinley Rider has been a valued member of the SIUE Campus Recreation team since August 2024, serving as a facility supervisor at the Student Fitness Center. Through her leadership, professionalism, and positive attitude, she has made a meaningful impact on both her coworkers and the members she serves each day. Her commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment has helped strengthen the sense of community within Campus Recreation, making her a deserving recipient of the June 2026 Employee of the Month award.
Working at Campus Recreation has helped McKinley develop professionalism, which she believes will greatly benefit her in the future. She especially values the friendships and relationships she has built with fellow student employees and staff members during her time at SIUE.
McKinley is currently pursuing a degree in nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2028. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she remains highly involved on campus through her participation in the Student Nursing Association, Alpha Sigma Tau, and the Honors Program. Her dedication to academic excellence and campus involvement reflects her strong work ethic and passion for helping others.
Outside of work and school, McKinley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, hiking, traveling, and shopping. She brings the same enthusiasm and positivity from her personal life into the workplace each day. McKinley believes that it is always important to smile and show kindness to others, a mindset that is evident in every interaction she has with members and coworkers.
Through her professionalism, McKinley Rider continues to represent the values of SIUE Campus Recreation in an outstanding way. Her contributions have positively impacted the department, and Campus Recreation is proud to recognize her as the June Employee of the Month.
May 2026 Employee of the Month - Heidi Brooks
Heidi Brooks serves as the Aquatics Programs Supervisor for Campus Recreation, beginning her role in August 2025. She is currently pursuing a degree in civil engineering, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2027. Heidi is actively involved on campus as a member of the Swim Club, where she continues to develop her passion for aquatics and fitness while building connections within the campus community.
In her role, Heidi has been instrumental in revitalizing aquatics programming at the indoor pool. With the re-establishment of this position, she has helped rebuild operations, expand programming, and reintroduce student employment opportunities through swim instructor roles that had not been offered in several years. Under her leadership, aquatics programming has grown to include swim lessons, clinics, pool challenges, and special events designed to engage a wide range of participants. She has also strengthened safety and quality standards by implementing regular staff trainings and in-service sessions, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons.
Heidi enjoys working in Campus Recreation because it allows her to connect with others, support patrons, and continuously develop new skills. Her commitment to service and engagement is reflected in her approach to creating inclusive and dynamic aquatics experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, swimming, crafting, drawing, and spending time outdoors, balancing her active lifestyle with creative pursuits.
Through her leadership, Heidi has created a strong foundation for continued growth in aquatics programming while enhancing the overall student experience within Campus Recreation.
