Employee of the Month
November 2025 Employee of the Month - Erica Bigtas
SIUE Campus Recreation is proud to recognize Erica Bigtas as the November 2025 Employee of the Month! Erica has been an integral part of the Department of Campus Recreation since July 2024, beginning as a Member Services attendant at the Reception Desk and at the Equipment Issue Desk. In February of 2025, Erica was promoted to facility supervisor where she keeps a watchful eye on the Student Fitness Center and its programming and serves as a model employee and guide to all of the Campus Recreation student employees.
Erica is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work and anticipates graduating in May of 2026. Her career goal is to specialize in military clinical mental health, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact in supporting US veterans and service members through her work.
Beyond Campus Recreation, Erica is highly engaged in the campus and the community. She serves as the vice president of the Student Social Work Association, participates in Adopted Programming, and is an Equal Opportunity, Access, and Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Program member. She also volunteers with the St. Louis Area Food bank as a resource partner, demonstrating her dedication to service and advocacy.
In her free time, Erica enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and baking. She values working for Campus Recreation because it provides opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and well-being. Erica appreciates how her role allows her to support student development through inclusive and health-focused programs. Her dedication, leadership, and positive attitude make her a standout member of the SIUE Campus Recreation team!
October 2025 Employee of the Month - Bryce Kirby
Help us to congratulate Bryce Kirby for being chosen as the Campus Recreation October 2025 Student Employee of the month! Since his start with Campus Rec in 2023 as an Intramural (IM) official, Bryce has been a consistent and dependable employee in times when we really needed someone. Because he works hard to ensure that events and practices run smoothly, and if challenges arise, he is always the first to step in with solutions and lend a hand, Bryce was quickly promoted to Intramural supervisor and to activity coordinator. Bryce has constantly gone above and beyond the expectations of his positions and he never hesitates to support others and take initiative in tough situations. He demonstrates a strong work ethic and understands what it means to balance being both a student and a reliable employee.
Bryce is currently seeking a degree in electrical engineering. He hopes to “gain field knowledge and return to teach.” In his spare time, Bryce likes to watch Mizzou football, do photography and spend time with his wife. He likes working for Campus Recreation because he gets to work in many different areas and he likes his coworkers and the Campus Rec staff.
Whether it’s problem-solving under pressure, stepping into leadership when needed, or simply showing up ready to give his best, Bryce sets an excellent example for others to follow. His commitment, reliability, and consistency make him an invaluable member of the team. We are fortunate to have Bryce on staff, and his contributions truly elevate our workplace and the overall experience we provide. His effort does not go unnoticed, and his impact reaches far beyond day-to-day tasks! Thank you Bryce for strengthening the culture of SIUE Campus Recreation and inspiring others through your actions.
