SUU ERM Summit
The SUU Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program aims to identify, assess, and manage institutional risks—including strategic, reputational, financial, health and safety, student success, operational, and compliance risks—to enhance our ability to achieve the University’s mission and strategic goals. The annual ERM Summit celebrates this work by honoring individuals who have significantly contributed to our campus ERM efforts during an award breakfast. The day continues with a professional development track co-hosted by the Center for Teaching and Innovation, designed to educate the campus community on improving ERM and building a more resilient university environment.
2026 Award Recipients
At the ERM Summits Awards ceremony, Southern Utah University celebrates faculty and staff whose leadership and dedication advance a culture of safety, compliance, preparedness, and proactive risk management at Southern Utah University. Below is a list of our 2026 award recipients!
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting a positive Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) culture, preventing injury/illness, ensuring regulatory compliance, or implementing innovative safety improvements. Each recipient received a commemorative challenge coin, and their department received a $1,000 funding allocation to further risk management, safety and compliance initiatives.
- Barry Pearson - Director, Grounds and Gardens
- Jeff Tukuafu, Senior Associate AD
- Elizabeth Pierce - Department Chair, Chemistry and Physics
- Chris Ralphs - Executive Director, Campus Life
- Richard Girtain - Production Manager USF
This award recognizes individuals who move beyond basic adherence to compliance obligations. These individuals actively embody proactive risk management and an ethical culture that supports SUU’s core mission and strategic plan. Each recipient received a commemorative challenge coin, and their department received a $1,000 funding allocation to further risk management, safety and compliance initiatives.
- Ben Johnson - AVP, Facilities Management
- Jayson Matlock - Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Ken Schmutz - Data Privacy Analyst
- Heather Ogden - AVP, Dean of Students
- Madison Mcbride - Assistant Director, Health and Wellness
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding initiative, leadership, or execution in identifying, assessing, mitigating, or monitoring risks that could impact the University's mission, assets, people, or reputation. Each recipient received a commemorative challenge coin, and their department received a $1,000 funding allocation to further risk management, safety and compliance initiatives.
- Shannon Eberhard - Assistant Director Outdoor Pathways
- Co-recipients James Sage - Associate Provost and Camille Thomas - Assistant Provost
- Fred Godevich - Department Chair Biology
- Jim Shakespear - Chief Information Security Officer/Director IT Security
This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their department or university's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, critical incidents, or disasters. Each recipient received a commemorative challenge coin, and their department received a $1,000 funding allocation to further risk management, safety and compliance initiatives.
- Co Recipients Shelly Roy - Copy Shop & Library Marketing Design Assistant and Chris Younkin - Assistant Professor, Library & Information Science/Scholarly
- Lauri Garfield - Manager, Guest Services
- Co-recipients Nikki Koontz - AVP Marketing Communications and Brooke Heath - Director of Public Relations
This premier award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding vision, leadership, and execution in integrating and managing risks across multiple facets of the University's mission, encompassing compliance, EH&S, emergency preparedness, and strategic risk management. Each recipient received a commemorative challenge coin, and their department received a $2,000 funding allocation to further risk management, safety and compliance initiatives.
- Tessa Anderson - Director of Internal Audit
- Jake Johnson - Assistant Provost
This traveling trophy recognizes the University Division that embodies the motto of “Everyone a Risk Manager” by demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in compliance, EH&S, emergency preparedness, and strategic risk management.
This year’s recipient is the Division of Campus Operations for achieving the highest completion rate (96%) in the University’s Required Training course for Benefited Employees.

To nominate a campus colleague for next year’s ERM Summit Awards, please use the form:
Nominations for the 2027 ERM Summit are Due October 31, 2026
Moving Forward Together
The Office of ERM would like to thank all the presenters, award winners, and attendees who make this event a huge success. Our commitment to Enterprise Risk management principles ensures that SUU remains a safe, resilient, and thriving environment for students, faculty, and staff alike. If you have any questions regarding the ERM Summit or how to get involved, please contact us!