Past Extra Effort Award Winners
Craig Gerdes, Brian Tindell, Mary Blomquist, Bruce Inwards, Susan Steel, Nancy Waters, Terri Cole, Sharon Powers, Jim Hillen, Mary Brady, Kevin Caldwell, Erin Loomis, Xiaoping Puhr and Yumiko Robinson, Tutors-Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Leslie Dykstra Dan Mueller, Counselor-Academic Advising & Counseling – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard Abigail Buck, ATS Support Technician–Academic Technology Services – nominated by Chad Rawalt. Eskedar Terefe, Administrative Assistant-IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. Rabeh Ghadiri, Office Coordinator Advisor-IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. Joe Hallecook, Market Lead-Dining Services – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. Rachel Haynes, Director, Employee Engagement & Development-Staff Development – nominated by Kim Steinmetz Misty Miller, Manager, Benefits-Human Resources – nominated by Sean Burkett. “Since starting in March of this year, Misty has hit the ground running in her role. I can already see her dedication and contributions making a difference. She is a great collaborator and always available for a question or discussion. The benefits team, HR, and the College as a whole is lucky to have her.” Erin Walters & Bailey Wilner, Counselors-Counseling – nominated by Christina Wolff. “Thank you so much for coming to our evening Foreign Language meeting after such a long day at work. We appreciate your presentation about Mental Health in the Classroom!!” Patricia Donaldson, Counselor-Counseling – nominated by Christina Wolff. Ryan Weber, Admissions Concierge-Admissions – nominated by Lisa Turner-Hernandez. Jorge Garcia, CAV Leader-Student Financial Aid – nominated by Lisa Turner-Hernandez. “Although Jorge is a new addition to the Admissions/Recruitment Ambassador team, he is already making a tremendous impact. He received personalized shoutouts from two different students after leading a campus resource tour during CavConnection: Narayana Pawar, Tutor-Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. “Narayana supported JCAE ESL with tech set-up for our students. They were incredibly kind, supportive, and helpful to our students.” Connor Nyberg, Manager Senior Business Analyst-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Gavin Cotsworth, Business Analyst-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Lori Jones, Administrative Assistant-Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Mark Barbosa, Manager Technology Support Center-Client Support Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Anna Smith, Coordinator-Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. “Anna supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. She was kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.” Del Lovitt, Director-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. “Del supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. We appreciate her time and interest in our program and our students. Her kindness and support helped me make the day a success.” Daniel Epley, Enterprise Applications Administrator-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Richard Delerue, Application Architecture Manager-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Alex Prutsman, Business Analyst-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Susan Ullman & Erica Lowrey Student Development Specialist & Supervisor Student Development Specialists – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard. Amy Edsall, Coordinator-Campus Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Paul Knoettgen, Manager, Warehouse and Postal Services – nominated by Ellie Parker. “JCAE ran out of enrollment forms for returning ESL students and we needed 600 printed ASAP. I put in the work order with Doc Services and asked them to print it that morning if possible. Then I called Paul and asked if it was at all possible to get the order delivered that day. Paul made sure we had our forms delivered! We owe a BIG THANK YOU to Paul and his team for getting us those forms so quickly! You guys helped save the day!” Sarah Ross, Printing Services Coordinator – nominated by Ellie Parker. Alex Prutsman, Business Analyst, Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. Pete Belk, Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Strategy – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. Joyce Friedel, Administrative Assistant, Academic Support – nominated by Christina Wolff. Victoria Olson, Supervisor of CE Registration – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Jim Phillips, ABM Manager, Facilities – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Sherie Shaeffer, ABM Supervisor, Facilities – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Kayla Harrity, Director of Operations-CE – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Matt Riggs, Access Control – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Seth Mullis, JCCC Police Sergeant – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Doug Casida, JCCC Police Officer – nominated by Leslie Dykstra. Joanna Martin, Compensation Specialist, Human resources – nominated by Pete Belk. “I didn’t complete the hiring steps correctly in PageUp. I thought I had selected the option to ask for a salary review. I sent Joanna an email asking about it. She promptly replied and graciously moved the candidate to the correct step for me. Then, replied after 10pm with her compensation package. Joanna was the utmost professional throughout this exchange and went way above and beyond by replying after 10pm!” Jennifer Schrowe, Non-Credit Instructor, CE; JCAE – nominated by Natasha Jenkins. “Jennifer has been working varying hours this summer, dependent solely upon when our students need to test and can be available. Jennifer has helped to initiate our mobile testing center, serving to test-run the process and ensure our students have what they need to be successful in a familiar and non-restrictive environment.” Marian Rose, Non-Credit Instructor, CE; JCAE – nominated by Natasha Jenkins. Carissa Sadique, Learning & Development Specialist, Staff Development – nominated by Samantha Williams. “Carissa has been a valuable member of the HR team. She consistently offers support and assistance to her colleagues, going above and beyond her assigned tasks to ensure the success of those around her. Carissa is always available to collaborate, provide advice, and offer resources for various situations. I hope everyone gets a chance to take one of her trainings, they are phenomenal!” Jessica Gamarra, Program Manager, College now – nominated by Samuel Sommerville. “Jessica consistently goes above and beyond, displaying proactive initiative and enthusiasm. One of Jessica’s qualities is her creative approach to everyday procedures within the College Now program. She approaches her responsibilities with determination, always contributing positively to the success of the program. Beyond her professional attributes, Jessica’s positive attitude is always welcome.” Keila Ferree, Records Specialist Verifications, Enrollment Services – nominated by Amy Sellers. “The Career Ready and Dual Degree programs enroll close to 120 high school students in a very short time span, and each student has to have special forms, be given special permissions, and all are run through Keila’s office within less than a week. Keila provides me and my high school counterparts with regular updates on who has been given the permissions, who still needs them, etc., and has stayed on top of this process even after open enrollment begins. We could not support these students without the help and support and quick turnaround from Keila!” Brooke Groneman, HCI Adjunct Professor, Health Care Interpreting – nominated by Christina Wolff. “Brooke works tirelessly with students outside of class meetings to insure that our students are successful. I believe that Brooke’s dedication and excellent teaching skills are why our students find job placement in the Kansas City area before and upon graduation from the HCI program.” Kotoko Grass & Yosei Sugawara, Professor of Japanese, Foreign Language – nominated by Christina Wolff. “Kotoko and Yosei met with someone from the community who discovered a Japanese “Good Luck” flag from WW II in their American grandfather’s belongings. The professors met with the family and translated what they could from the flag before it will be sent on to the Obon Society, a non-profit that will hopefully reunite the soldier’s family with this flag.” Heather Bratton, Counselor, Academic Advising & Counseling – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard. “Heather stayed late one day to help with walk-ins (even though it was her Friday to leave early), and we appreciate her willingness so much. She has jumped in from the start since beginning here and her humor and kindness has been an encouragement to us admins–and I know our students too.” November – December 2023 LaQuaysha Rockette, Veteran Services Outreach Assistant, Veteran Services – nominated by Kena Zumalt Steve Piper, Fitness Center Monitor, HPER – nominated by Brenda Keating “After the water fountains were repaired in the Fitness Center, Steve cleaned the water fountains as well as the area around them. He did all of this to ensure the Fitness Center was ready for patrons to come in to a clean Fitness Center.” September – October 2023 August – September, 2023 July 1, 2023 JUNE 1, 2023
“The tutors supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. They were helpful, kind, and supportive of our students and staff.”
“Dan is awesome at communicating to us admins when he is available to help with walk-in students. We so appreciate his dependability and proactiveness in checking where he is most needed. Dan’s efforts to lend a hand to as many students as possible is a blessing–from when he is covering his normal walk-ins duties to all the above and beyond opportunities he takes to fit in just one more student when he has the chance.”
“Abigail performed above expectations getting classrooms GEB 356, 353A, 351A ready for the Fall 2024 semester. Her attention to detail has really paid off in each classroom. The computer equipment and cable management look amazing. From the start of the project to the finish Abigail’s attitude has been wonderful. Very lucky to have her on our ATS team!!”
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the exceptional effort and dedication shown by Eskedar during her time at IISS this summer. Eskedar has truly gone above and beyond in her role, taking on several major projects with remarkable efficiency and professionalism. One of Eskedar’s key contributions has been her proactive approach in contacting students with outstanding admissions items. Through her efforts, she has successfully assisted numerous students in completing their requirements ahead of schedule, contributing to a smoother and more efficient admissions process. Eskedar’s composure and reliability in high-pressure situations have been invaluable to the team. Even during our busiest periods, she remains calm and collected, providing support and assistance without panic. Her ability to maintain a level head and focus on the task at hand has been a source of calm to us all. Eskedar’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and I am truly grateful for her contributions to IISS. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and exceptional organizational skills have made a significant impact on our operations! Thank you, Eskedar!”
“I am writing to express my admiration and appreciation for the exceptional efforts of Rabeh in managing F-1 admissions at JCCC. Rabeh’s dedication and hard work are truly impressive, as she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every student receives personalized attention and support throughout the admissions process. Despite the demanding nature of her role, Rabeh manages to juggle multiple responsibilities with efficiency and grace, making sure that no student falls through the cracks. Her commitment to providing a seamless and personalized experience for each student, especially when dealing with complex immigration documents, is truly impressive. Rabeh’s efforts have a significant impact on our students and the College as a whole, and her dedication does not go unnoticed. I want to extend my gratitude to Rabeh for her outstanding work and for consistently exceeding expectations.”
“I am writing to express my gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Joe at the JCCC Market. Joe’s kind and humorous demeanor, coupled with his genuine value for customers, truly sets him apart. He goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere at the Market, making every visit a pleasant experience. Joe’s presence has a positive impact on the overall environment of the market. His ability to brighten even the hardest of days is truly commendable, and I am grateful for the effort he puts into ensuring that every customer feels valued and appreciated. I wanted to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe for his dedication and outstanding service. His contributions to the JCCC Market do not go unnoticed, and I am truly grateful for the positive impact he has on the community.”
“I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of Rachel within our organization. Rachel consistently goes above and beyond in her role, acting as a crucial support system for our team. Her honesty, openness, and willingness to help others are truly amazing qualities that benefit JCCC immensely. I would like to highlight Rachel’s significant contributions towards the upcoming IISS retreat. Her dedication and innovative ideas have played a pivotal role in shaping the event, allowing us to explore new and exciting opportunities. Without her support, this retreat would not have been possible. Rachel is the glue that keeps our employees going!”
“Many thanks to Patricia for the many years of collaboration and support for the Health Care Interpreting students. She spends countless hours helping me make sure our students are successful!”
“Ryan stepped up in a huge way for our team over the last few months, taking on the responsibility of hiring, training, and supervising the Admissions/Recruitment student employees. I’m new to JCCC and responsible for managing new student recruitment efforts, and I cannot imagine what this transition would have been like without Ryan’s hard work and dedication. Thank you, Ryan, for everything you’ve done and continue to do each day!”
– “My tour guide, Jorge, was AMAZING!”
– “My tour guide was really kind and informative. The tour was perfect!”
Way to go Jorge! Thanks for providing such a great tour experience for our new students!”
“Connor supported JCAE during ESL tech set-up. He was kind, supportive and helpful with our students. He has supported our team for years to design plans that will make this process easier. We appreciate his overall support and work to make both our students and staff have a better experience at JCCC.”
“Gavin came and supported the JCAE ESL tech set-up. He has been instrumental in transforming JCAE and our options for our ESL population. We appreciate him always answering the phone when there is a question and coming and working along with us to make this process as smooth as possible for our students.”
“Lori supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. She was kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
“Mark supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. Mark has been instrumental in helping JCAE move forward with the services we can provide our ESL students and staff. We appreciate his support of our program and staff.”
“Daniel supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. He was kind, helpful and supportive with our students and staff.”
“Richard supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. He was kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
“Alex supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. They were kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
“A student puzzled me with a question about cross listed courses, so I went to the STAR room to get help. Susan was able to find the answer for me and look up the specific class situation the student was struggling with as well as detailed examples from her department’s SDS manual. Erica later shared that tool with us admins (Advising & Counseling), so I doubly appreciate Susan going above and beyond to help me find the answer for the student and Erica for sharing that wonderful resource manual.”
“Amy helped JCAE through the transition of new classrooms. She communicated, followed up, and supported us the entire way.”
“JCAE ran out of enrollment forms for returning ESL students and we needed 600 printed ASAP. I put in the work order with Printing Services and called Sarah to ask if it was at all possible to get the forms printed that morning so the Warehouse could deliver them that day. Sarah and the folks in Printing Services made sure we got the forms we needed, and super fast! We owe a BIG THANK YOU to Sarah and the whole Printing Services team for getting us those forms so quickly! You guys helped save the day!”
“I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for Alex’s outstanding work in resolving the banner imaging glitch we encountered at a critical juncture. Her efficiency and responsiveness in addressing this difficulty were truly commendable. Alex is pleasant and easy to work with and it has not gone unnoticed. It is evident that Alex possesses a remarkable ability to juggle multiple tasks effortlessly, and her professionalism is truly impressive. Alex’s dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and I am truly grateful for all that she does. In short, Alex, you are a superhero in our team, and we are incredibly fortunate to have you. Thank you once again for your invaluable contributions.”
“Pete has been so supportive of the IISS office and the employees here. He is willing to support us when we encounter hardships or need leadership at a higher level. Thanks, Pete, for being willing to jump in and get stuff done. The positive impacts are not unnoticed, and I have no doubt they impact the student experience for the better.”
“Thanks to Joyce for stepping in to help with multiple changes to the Fall 2024 schedule when my admin was absent this week.”
“Victoria helped JCAE launch credit card payments for our ESL students. She held training for JCAE staff and then came for the first day and worked alongside our staff and helped when the system wasn’t working. The success of this new process is due to Victoria and her guidance.”
“Jim is fantastic. He helped JCAE prepare for their ESL registration day. He listened to our requests and worked hard to make them happen with plenty of time. He also helped organize the considerable clean-up afterward. I appreciate that I can email or call Jim any time; he is helpful and supportive of our program.”
“Sherie is a very hard worker and dedicated to her job. She came out and ensured West Park was in the best shape possible for ESL registration. She sat out chairs and ensured the bathrooms were fully stocked. She then came back during registration day and refilled toilet paper and paper towels. She cared that our needs were met. She works so hard and we appreciate her so much.”
“Kayla’s innovation and support have helped JCAE transform its registration and onboarding process. Kayla’s knowledge of Xen has allowed JCAE to accept credit card payments, create Xen accounts, and streamline the registration process. Due to her work, knowledge, and dedication to our program, she has helped eliminate months of employee work and backlog that used to exist in our program.”
“Matt engineered a front door lock for JCAE at West Park. A request at least 10 years old. We are so thankful to be able to enter our building from our front door instead of walking through a dark building on the former cosmo side. Thank you, Matt!”
“Sergeant Mullins came and supported JCAE during our ESL Registration. He was positive, supportive, and effective in helping to control the crowds of students. He helped one student get her keys out of her car when she locked them in. He greeted everyone with kindness and is an honorary member of JCAE. We look forward to having him back with us in January.”
“This was Doug’s second time helping JCAE with our ESL Registration. He was terrific with our students and staff. Helping with crowd control entering the building. He listened and was kind and helpful. We are so grateful to have him help us. We hope he returns in January.”
“James is a wizard when it comes to understanding the technology and software we use in Financial Aid and is always willing to help us build new processes! He has helped me in so many ways and our department has been helped tremendously by the work he does! He is always willing to explain his results, codes, and how he got to the answer to ensure we are all on the same page! Thank you, Thank you for all your work in your short time here!!”
“Marian volunteered to run an inaugural class this summer, working to design individual curriculum and assistance for 10+ students during the month of June. The work and effort she put into this project far exceeds the amount of time she is being compensated for. Marian always puts forth superb effort to benefit our students and it is seen and valued.”
Katie Mulloy, Editor-in-Chief CavMag, Journalism Department – nominated by Michael Price. “This semester (Spring ’24) Katie has set up from scratch an online student newspaper, which will have its soft launch we hope on April 29. As a student, Katie has juggled her courses with managing eight students and the CoLab team building the website. She has excelled…”
Tanya Kelly, Adjunct Professor, Foreign Language – nominated by Christina Wolff. “Tanya creates activities and meets weekly to with staff and students to speak German. Her dedication to teaching German is much appreciated! “
Mike Fluke and Tom Poholsky, Senior Enterprise Desktop Engineer and CSS Senior Support Analyst, Academic Technical Services – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard. “Mike and Tim came to help after my headset lost sound, and it was a giant puzzle since all the normal little fixes were not working. They tag teamed different solutions and finally figured out the problem was a stray cord plugged into a different headset. I so appreciated their kindness, patience, and professionalism!”
Maureen Alexander, Counselor, Academic Advising and Counseling Center – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard. “We admins so appreciated Maureen’s enthusiasm and dependability helping students! Just one example was recently during the drop and pass/fail deadline when she was working a couple hours in a row at our Quick Question desk. It was a super busy and nonstop afternoon, but Maureen continued to show great patience, individual care, and value for each student that she could help in front of her.”
Susan Elliott, Lead Registration Specialist, Continuing Education and Workforce Development – nominated by Victoria Olson. “On top of her daily tasks, Susan has taken on additional responsibilities to ensure I have been able to fully commit to learning this new position as the supervisor of the Registration Department. She has attended meetings, been a vital voice and role in our streamlining of processes, and has patiently trained me on duties that do not typically land on her plate. She remains positive and insightful and is always willing to help where it is needed. She continues to go above and beyond for our team and for myself!”
Megan Kirby-Luster, Admissions Data Specialist, Admissions – nominated by Teresa LeLand. “Megan has shown extra effort and leadership skills by taking on the task of training new staff on processing applications for admission. She is patient and helps her teammates understand the importance of accuracy. Megan makes herself available in person or via teams to assist as needed.”
Rene Skelton, Registration Specialist – Continuing Education Operations, Continuing Education – nominated by Bryenna Timotijevic “Rene always goes above and beyond and serves as an exemplary figure for the college when it comes to serving the students. She often stays past her lunch hour to help a student and always serves students with kindness and patience. Rene is always the first one to jump in to help out a colleague in need. “
Sherri Hanyz, Registrar, Enrollment Services – nominated by Mark Gordon. “Sherri has always been a great help to Institutional Planning & Research (IPR), but her recent efforts merit broader recognition. A couple of course sections needed values changed in Banner to help IR with accurate reporting. Leaving as is could cause reporting headaches. However, the requested change was not an easy fix and involved extra work on her end, but Sherri rose to the occasion and made the changes. IPR is very grateful.”
Brenda Kloiber, Instructor, JCAE – English Connection – nominated by Connie Berggren. “Brenda used her creativity and expertise to create a fantastic, interactive presentation sharing the success of a grant-funded pilot program during the KAEA Conference in February. She spent countless hours creating vibrant data slides, cutting video clips, organizing and reorganizing the presentation, helping edit the script, and practicing for and delivering it to conference attendees. Her passion for the English Connection program shines through everything she does and this was a shining example of that passion.”
Teresa Damron, Senior Payroll Specialist, Finance – nominated by Samantha Williams. “I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for Teresa’s kindness and helpfulness. She is always quick to respond to emails and phone calls, and she consistently offers valuable insights while addressing any questions or concerns concisely. I truly appreciate how she goes above and beyond to assist, even if it is not within her designated area of responsibility. Teresa’s warm and friendly demeanor makes working with her a pleasure. Thank you, Teresa, for all that you do!”
Debbie Stoerman, Budget Analyst, Finance – nominated by Samantha Williams. “I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for Debbie’s exceptional support. She always goes above and beyond to help anyone who may have questions or concerns, or just needs additional information. Debbie’s kindness and willingness to assist, even during challenging times, truly make a difference. Thank you, Debbie, for all of your hard work and dedication!”
Kathy Rhoades, PSO/Parking, Police Department – nominated by Seth Mullis “It’s difficult to describe all of Kathy’s extra contributions to this department and college in two to three sentences, but I will try. Kathy’s recent work with the STEM event is just one example where she went the extra mile to help Panasonic and NASA employees. This was recognized by this group, who were so impressed by Kathy’s help that she was mentioned specifically in an email thanking the school for our assistance in making the event a success. In addition to this one of many examples, Kathy was a huge help to me when I recently moved to help our day shift as a supervisor. With the numerous events transpiring on campus, Kathy kept up with each of these and made sure I was aware of what was going on so that they could be properly staffed. It is hard to imagine the department running smoothly without Kathy’s continuous help and support. Thank you!”
Dixie Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management –nominated by Seth Mullis “Dixie has been a tremendous help with our department, always willing to lend a hand without giving it a second thought. I had some administrative needs recently that Dixie was able to step in and assist with quickly and effectively, which immediately resolved some issues. Dixie has assisted in several Police Department projects that keep the department functioning smoothly, though they may not be the most recognizable or glamorous tasks, without her help the department would definitely not function as effectively as it does. Thank you, Dixie, for your extra effort!”
Joshua Graham, Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources – nominated by Sherry Osborn “Joshua Graham is an excellent example of an employee who makes an impact every time you encounter him by visiting Human Resources. He is other-directed, walks in humility, and leaves no stone unturned to accomplish the highest standards of competency to accomplish the goals set before in each encounter with an employee. It was a daunting experience for me as an employee to visit Human Resources regarding a job application. I was not expecting to meet one of the kindest people I have ever encountered in my life. I was immediately put at ease. Joshua is so down to earth, an excellent listener, and always tries to resolve whatever obstacle is put before him. He is so encouraging and absolutely one of the most respectful people I have ever known. Every task that Joshua sets out to do is filled with compassionate consideration.
Kayla Harrity, Director of Operations, Workforce Development and Continuing Education – nominated by Emily Zdjelar “Kayla has been so gracious with her time and has shown so much support and dedication during my transition into the role she previously held. Kayla’s generous commitment to training and patiently guiding me through processes has been instrumental in maintaining the seamless operation of our program, ensuring both my success and uninterrupted services to our students.”
Mark Barbosa, Manager – Technical Support Center, Information Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra “Mark came to support JCAE ESL students during the technology set-up. New ESL students set up their devices and smartphones to access classroom materials and email accounts. Mark came to support the JCAE ESL staff as students used JCCC stumail accounts for the first time. Mark was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable regarding quick fixes and long-term improvements. The JCAE staff enjoyed working alongside Mark.”
Kathryn Douglas, TSC Student and Evening Support, Information Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra “Kathryn supported JCAE students and staff during the ESL technology set-up. Kathryn worked alongside staff as students access their JCCC stumail accounts for the first time, logged in and set up their Google Classroom accounts. Kathryn could pivot and make significant decisions that helped the set-up move quickly. The JCAE staff loved working alongside Kathryn.”
Jennie Mynhier, Asst Professor – Desktop Publishing, Desktop Publishing – nominated by Jessica Herold “The ASL interpreters in her class were experiencing a barrier to accessing the visual information presented on the instructional screen, which is vital to providing accurate interpretation services. Jennie worked on her own with the IT department to install a confidence monitor in the classroom so that the interpreters can see the same software processes being displayed to the students. We were pleasantly surprised and appreciative that she was so committed to access.”
Leann Eaken, Administrative Assistant, Workforce Development and Continuing Education – nominated by Kayla Harrity “Leann faced a challenging situation in which a classroom full of students had no instructor. Despite the stressful situation, she remained calm and collected. In collaborating with a colleague, the class was able to be rescheduled and the students felt taken care of by Leann and her colleague. They displayed great teamwork and customer service skills!”
Grant Carlson, Program Coordinator, Workforce Development and Continuing Education – nominated by Kayla Harrity “Grant faced a challenging situation in which a classroom full of students had no instructor. Despite the stressful situation, he remained calm and collected. In collaborating with a colleague, the class was able to be rescheduled and the students felt taken care of by Grant and his colleague. They displayed great teamwork and customer service skills! ”
Seth Mullins, Christopher Johnson, and Doug Casida, Police Officer, Police Department – Nominated by Leslie Dykstra ” Officers Mullins, Johnson, and Casida supported JCAE program staff with crowd control during ESL registration on January 8, 2024. JCAE staff were working against the clock and cold weather to get the 500 potential students lined up outside of West Park inside and registered. The officers were patient, kind, supportive, and attentive to the needs of the JCAE staff and students. This ESL registration was the smoothest JCAE has ever had, thanks to the presence and support of the JCCC Police Department.”
Magda Trevino, Admissions Assistant, Student Services – Nominated by Teresa Leland “Magda has translated our admissions application into Spanish. She realized the need and offered to provide her services to accomplish this task. She had two other native Spanish speakers review to ensure the translation made sense with other Hispanic groups. The Spanish application is available as a pdf for counseling, student development specialist and recruiters as needed. In addition, Magda assist student in her native language over the phone for Admissions and other departments. She provides the most excellent customer service.”
Maggie Hodge, Transfer Articulation Analyst, Admissions – Nominated by Ina Crane “Maggie has been integral in adding the new KBOR bucket courses into Banner. She has been an incredible asset in figuring out technical as well as logical issues with this project and I am grateful for having her on our team.”
Bryenna Timotijevic, Marketing Assistant, Workforce Development & Continuing Ed- Nominated by Staci Malone “Bryenna has done a great job of over the past year and half. There was a lot to learn in her role and she has not only taken ownership of her roles and responsibilities, but goes above and beyond in researching new trends, trying new things, contributing to the team and does it all with a great attitude! We are lucky to have her on our team and can’t wait to see what she will accomplish on the next year.”
Yassin Ali, Veteran Services Assistant, Veteran Services – nominated by Kena Zumalt “Excellence in student service. The following email was received from a student veteran: “I am a returning student here at Johnson County Community College. This email is in regards to two employees in the veteran service center. Yassin and Laquaysha have been phenomenal help since day one of my journey at JCCC. Every question, comment, or concern has been addressed promptly, politely, and with the utmost attention to detail. Both of these employees deserve some sort of compensation for their diligence in their field. Their customer service is beyond what one can expect. Having never met either of these parties before, I am stunned at the level of care given to a new student. I sincerely thank you and your team for your incredible assistance in all things JCCC.””
Samantha Williams, HR Generalist, Human Resources– nominated by Marcelle Cooper “Samantha has been such a great help! When my department was short-staffed, she understood the urgency of hiring replacements and worked diligently to guide me through the process. She responds quickly to questions and is always patient and willing to help. This is not just doing her job but running around to be sure that my department functions efficiently.”
Mahogany Frasier, Procurement Specialist, Procurement – nominated by Marcelle Cooper “Mahogany answers every time I call (most people don’t). When I was on a work trip and needed to return to the office urgently, she helped me change my travel bookings. She trained me on procurement processes and walks me through each purchase. I know this is not necessarily her job, but she is so patient and never critical. I want her to be acknowledged for going above and beyond.”
Lisa Dunitz, Coordinator of Academic Scheduling, Curriculum and Academic Scheduling– nominated by Amber Heldt “Lisa has taken time to help train me in my new position even though it is not in her division. She has gone out of her way to make me feel comfortable and connect. She serves as a highly valuable resource!”
Sasha Edelman, Administrative Assistant, Science – nominated by Amber Heldt “Sasha has gone beyond her own workload to train me in my new role at the college. She has set me up for success by giving me advice and resources that would have otherwise been difficult to find. She is my go-to for random questions, and I would not be doing as well as I am without her help!”
Natasha Jenkins, ABE/GED Lead Instruction, Johnson County Adult Education – nominated by Jessica Decker “Natasha Jenkins is such an asset to JCAE. She goes above and beyond for all the instructors she supervises and puts in extra time to get to know the needs of all students who attend the centers she leads, not just those in her class. She is always focused on doing what is best for the program and jumps in to help whenever she sees a need. As a new coordinator, I am very thankful for her support throughout my first semester.”
Mahogany Frazier, Procurement Specialist, Procurement Services – nominated by Adriana Brown “Since I started at JCCC a year ago, Mahogany has always gone above and beyond to answer questions and help me understand procedures. She has a kind and helpful attitude and always responds to emails quickly. I know she is someone dependable who I can turn to and has been consistent in this; she deserves to be recognized for her role in making JCCC a great place to work!”
Mariquita Taylor, Administrative Assistant, Counseling Services– nominated by Carrie Thomspon “Mariquita is the ultimate professional, she steps in whenever needed to help our entire center and support her team. We appreciate her positive attitude and attention to detail. We are lucky to have her!”
Lori Jones, Administrative Assistant, Language Resource Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana “Lori readily took on an extra duty to help two of our AAC staff members. Their work involves wrap-around services for students on academic probation, which is part of our strategic plan. Thank you, Lori. This small lift on your part has allowed them to spend more time with students!”
Marian Rose, ABE/GED Instructor, Continuing Ed– nominated by Natasha Jenkins “Marian throws her energy and background experience into her role as an instructor in our program and it shows. Her willingness to cover for other employees and to research additional tools and programs to assist our students goes above and beyond our expectations of instructors.”
Connor Nyberg, Manager Sr. Business Analyst, Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Ashley Hunter “Connor has been such a huge help to the bookstore this Fall. Most recently he was able to help us prepare for our Fallin Into Fun Fest within a short amount of time. He took the time to conduct a walkthrough with us and assist us in getting a Hot Spot for the bookstore and a portable battery that can be used for our off-sight events. We appreciate all the support Connor has brought to the bookstore and it wouldn’t be possible without him!”
Dusty Cody, Veteran Services – nominated by Brent Haverkamp “A student had come to campus only to discover that her class had been moved to Zoom that day, and she was struggling to find a link to join the session. Hearing her story, Dusty walked the woman to the Veteran & Military Resource Center where he could help her use one of their desktop computers to search for the link, and he was able to successfully assist her with getting into class.”
Charlotte Gilman, Senior Writing Tutor, Writing Center – nominated by Kara Kynion “Charlotte did a fantastic job decorating the Writing Center for Halloween. She went above and beyond to make it a space that students and staff enjoyed being in. We even won first place in our category thanks to Charlotte’s effort!”
Sherri Hanysz, Registrar, Enrollment Services – Leslie Quinn “Sherri went above and beyond to help a very upset parent resolve an issue for her student. The issue was complex and Sherri walked with the student and parent through every step that needed to happen to ensure effective resolution of the issue. Sherri’s effort and communication with this family was critical to a successful outcome to a life impacting issue for this student. As a result, this student was able to complete the last requirement they needed to graduate.”
Tristian Hughes, Office Assistant, OHEC – nominated by Jason Brunkan I have been in a new position for a month now and I would not have made it without Tristian Hughes. She has been so helpful to me during this transition. She has answered every question of mine, suggested changes to make both our jobs easier and gone through, unsolicited, and updated a new employee handbook that has everything the Office Assistant needs to know to be successful. She is invaluable to me and I am especially grateful to have her on our team. I have been at JCCC for 11 years and haven’t yet seen somebody more deserving of an extra effort award than Tristian!
Troy Dooling, Mechanic, Maintenance – nominated by Kim Steinmetz The water fountain on COM 3rd floor was broken. This was heartbreaking for many of the employees in COM and SC. That is where we fill our water bottles. It was being worked on and it could manually fill bottles (with a press and hold technique). But Troy took the manual home and got it to run hands free! This is so appreciated by our staff and all who use the fountain. It makes a huge difference in our employee experience. Thank you Troy!
Pete Belk, Director of Recruitment & Enrollment Strategy, Student Success & Engagement – nominated by Kim Steinmetz Pete has been working hard to support the IISS team since the reorganization. He has come to meetings, listened carefully to staff, and is available to support whenever we ask. We really appreciate how much he trusts us and advocates for us at the College. Thank you, Pete!
Ina Crane, Transfer Articulation Analyst, Admissions – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard I was referred to Ina to ask some questions about the different option students have to submit ACT and high school transcripts. I really appreciated her great communication and willingness to answer all of the many, many questions I had about the different options and finer details. All of that information has enabled me to do a better job communicating with students when I guide them over the phone, so I appreciate the inter-department teamwork!
Jaya Daniel, Coordinator, IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz Jaya had to work with a very difficult student for a variety of reasons. Jaya was calm, kind, consistent, and supportive despite the student’s attitude. Jaya was responsive and consistently kind. This helped tremendously in terms of managing a difficult situation. Nice job, Jaya!
Elaine Hodgson, Library Specialist – nominated by Shelli Allen On the morning of my two-week anniversary, I found myself completely turned around in SCI. I ran into Elaine in the hallway and she asked if I needed help. When I told her I was trying to find Student Center, she stopped going wherever she was headed and walked me to the place I couldn’t find. It was a fabulous welcome for a Newbie to receive.
Mary Anne Matos, Community Relations Manager, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art – nominated by JoAnne Northrup Mary Anne has taken a leading role in promoting, shaping, marketing, and realizing the Nerman Museum’s fall fundraiser. She has figured out a bidding platform for our auction, instructed others on how to use it, and basically taught herself how to do something she has never done before. She is a true leader, and her strength and determination set an example for her team!
Alyson Burnett, Senior Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – Alyssa Slana This summer, Alyson went above and beyond when tutoring a student. I have seen Alyson’s perseverance, patience, and professional communication skills increase because of this situation. Alyson deserves much more praise and recognition for these efforts, but I hope this reminds her that she’s doing great.
Seth Peck, Learning Specialist, Academic Achievement Center – Alyssa Slana Seth took on an extra Smart Start workshop to ensure one of our online, evening workshops for students wasn’t canceled. He is always happy to help with things like this and it is much appreciated!
Kris Bunselmeyer, Support Specialist, CoLab – Jodie Dietz Kris went above and beyond when the CoLab was asked to host the employee picnic Bingo night. Kris created an original online site that allowed bingo numbers to be called and marked on the screen which was viewable by all.
Janet Mathis, Data Operations Manager, Network & Data Center Operations – Simon Hausner I would like to nominate Janet for the Extra Efforts Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to our COBOL to Java transition project. Their dedication, attention to detail, and tireless commitment to ensuring a seamless migration has been truly remarkable. Janet has not only demonstrated exceptional expertise but has also been an invaluable team player, consistently going above and beyond to make this transition a success.
Connie Berggren, English Connection Lead Instructor, Continuing Ed/JCAE – Jessica Decker Connie is an exceptional lead instructor and has helped me so much as I am learning the ropes as the new ABE/GED program coordinator. When I took the position, I had little knowledge about her English Connection program although it was included under my coordinator umbrella. Connie has been so patient with me; teaching me things I need to know and handling things beyond her job description to give me time to learn. I am grateful for her positive outlook, dedication to the team, and passion that she shows for teaching and leading.
Holly Wimer, ABE/GED Instructor, JCAE – Julie Mulder Holly’s students see her as a confidant because they know she cares for them as a whole person. She regularly goes the extra mile to ensure they have resources for life, such as JCCC’s grief counseling services, food assistance, financial assistance and more. The excellent connections she makes with her students creates a welcoming environment in which her students can thrive.
Kotkoko Grass, Associate Professor, Foreign Language – Christina Wolff Kotoko recently worked with the audio visual department to create an amazing promotional video for Japanese classes. She collaborated on this video with her FL colleague Professor Yosei Sugawara. She is currently working with our Adjunct German professor Tanya Kelly to create a promotional video for German.
Chris Patch, Coordinator, Writing Center – Kara Kynion We received a record number of weekly tutoring requests during the Fall semester, and Chris has worked conscientiously and effectively with both students and tutors to meet this demand.
Lynda Markway, Sign Language Interpreter & Coordinator of Accommodations, Access Services – Lindsay Blanchard Lynda has helped us out at the front desk numerous times when ASL speaking/ deaf students have walked-in unexpectedly as our translator. We so appreciate her kindness and willingness to help when we reached out!
Diane Pateidl, Course Material Buyer, Bookstore – Kristine Herman During the Fall 23 semester Diane not only completed her own job duties but also two other vacant positions as well. She was the only course material buyer on staff and bought for every department. Diane always has a positive can do attitude and strives to make sure students have what they need to be successful. She exemplifies JCCC values everyday. The Bookstore is so lucky to have her.
Larry Allen, Senior Buyer, Procurement – Jeremy Lancey Larry has gone above and beyond by requesting repair of two colleague’s office chairs when the employees were out. This was done on his own initiative. He was also instrumental in filling in for an employee on extended leave for two months, all while maintaining his normal responsibilities and keeping a positive spirit despite the added workload.
Nolan Samuels, Lead Groundskeeper, Grounds – Lori Shank On the first day (Tuesday, 9/26/23) of our accreditation/board of nursing site visit, one of our site visitors traveling from southeast Kansas was having difficulty finding the building to report to. Although they were meant to be at CLB, they ended up over by the baseball stadium, to which Nolan could tell they were disoriented by their current location and stressed in order to get to the meeting on time. Nolan noted our visitor’s distress and assisted them with finding the location. Furthermore, Nolan followed up with our visitors by meeting them over at CLB and verifying they were OK and had everything they needed. This was an amazing example of JCCC associates’ support to members within and outside our community! Thank you!
Nathan Preston, Lead Enterprise Desktop Engineer/Support, Academic Technology Services – Lori Shank Nathan was instrumental in setting up our site visitors for success last week during our coordinated accreditation/state board visit for registered nursing. All five visitors were utilizing their technology, and three of the visitors required access to a printer. Nathan was available and ready to help at the very beginning of the first site visit day to ensure our visitors/reviews had the access they needed to conduct their visit. Having the expertise of personalized tech support from Nathan contributed to the successful start of our site visit. So thank you, Nathan, for your time ahead preparing for the visit, and also time during the visit providing “live” on-site support for our guests as needed!
David Dominguez, Counselor, Academic Advising & Counseling Center – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard David is one of only three Spanish speaking counselors we have in the center, and I am thankful for both his ability and enthusiasm to help all students–but especially our English as a second language students. Time after time I have been able to reach out for help for anything from walk-ins to phone calls and so appreciate the support he provides for us admins.
Margaret Roe, Accounting Specialist, Bursar Operations – nominated by Preya Ravi Margaret is very flexible with her working hours while we are short-staffed. She has helped us by taking ownership of the credit card refund process this summer.
Carol Trouba, Accounting Specialist, Bursar Operations – nominated by Preya Ravi Carol helps us with processing mail and returned payments which is very time consuming and involves lots of research and patience. We appreciate her help in getting through this busy time in our office.
Michelle Caples, Administrative Assistant, Academic Advising & Counseling – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard Michelle is always so willing to help out around the center and is welcoming to both students and staff. The other day she even drove me home when I was having car trouble. We so appreciate her thoughtfulness!
Sherry Buhler, ATS Support Technician, Information Services – nominated by James Drone On a Friday afternoon in June, Sherry was asked to fill in to help resolve a computer issue at the last minute. Thank you, Sherry, for your help!
Julie Lombard-Williamson, Senior Buyer Information Services, Procurement Services nominated by Ann Nordyke Julie did an amazing job helping my department make a purchase close to the end of the fiscal year for an item that broke down unexpectedly. She went above and beyond to help us navigate all of the processes. Julie is awesome and we appreciate the great job she did!
Mahogany Frazier, Procurement Specialist, Procurement Services nominated by Ann Nordyke Mahogany helped me get started when I inquired about making a purchase late in the fiscal year. She provided great information and several options. She helped me to successfully navigate the systems. Many thanks to Mahogany!
Mary Brady, Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana Mary goes above and beyond in her daily work in the AAC. She is dedicated to supporting students, especially those who work closely with Access Services. She is patient, kind, and loves to learn. This semester, she has taken on extra tasks as asked which is much appreciated!
Sharon Powers, Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana Sharon is both an instructor and tutor at JCCC, and works for a nearby school district. With all these responsibilities, she always ensures the students she tutors are taken care of and feel heard. She offers plenty of tutoring time for students and, as our only Web Development & CDTP tutor, she regularly takes on more students as necessary.
Garold Oliver, Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana Garold has been a tutor in the AAC since the pandemic and is consistently looking for more ways he can better support the students. He has taken on many challenges this semester when it comes to tutoring students, but he continues to persevere. Even when it gets difficult, he shows the students how much he genuinely wants them to succeed. This extra effort does not go unseen!
Chad Rawalt, Senior Enterprise Desktop Engineer, Academic Technology Services – nominated by Krista Grace Chad never fails to quickly come to the rescue for all our tech issues in the New Student Orientation room. This time he came within minutes, stayed the entire presentation to make sure he got the job done, and then went above and beyond when, without being asked, took the time to put away and organize all 20 surface pro devices so I could finish assisting students – thank you so much Chad!
Audrey Lehr, Manager, Payroll – nominated by Teresa Damron I started working for JCCC on January 9th of this year which most people realize is the busiest time for payroll. Audrey went the extra mile to assist me in learning my day to day tasks all the while completing her own work during the heavy call season of “When will my W-2 be ready”. Without her extra effort and patience during the crazy time, I would not have the knowledge that I do today. I appreciate her continued support as I advance through my learning curve. I love working with my Payroll Team!
Kim Davis, Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Teresa Damron I started working for JCCC on January 9th, in the middle of year-end reconciliation for W-2’s that have to be issued. Kim graciously welcomed me aboard and made me feel at home all the while completing the task of year-end tax reporting and W-2 issuance. She is a great role model for me and I appreciate the extra attention beyond her own duties during this busy time so that I could learn my role in the payroll department. I love working with my payroll team and look forward to the years ahead. Thanks for all you do!
Suzanne Maheu, Coordinator, International & Immigrant Student Services – nominated by Courtney Barden The Supported Education Programs Department launched a campaign celebrating Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Day to raise awareness of our programs on the JCCC campus. The campaign asked that participants create a sign explaining why they support inclusive education and take photos of themselves with the sign. Suzanne was asked to participate as she has always been an avid supporter of our students. Not only did Suzanne participate, but she took it upon herself to promote the project and took signs with her all over campus, asking others to join in the campaign. We would not have had nearly the number of supporters if it were not for Suzanne!
Stephanie Tobis, Staff Accountant, Financial Services – nominated by Kailyn Witte We are in the middle of a large project related to a new accounting standard. Due to this, Stephanie had to take on following up on a lot of the shared accounting services inbox items. Typically, we all pitch in on this activity, but she did a majority of it alone.
Yvonne Uribe, Staff Accountant, Financial Services – nominated by Kailyn Witte We are in the middle of a large project related to a new accounting standard. Yvonne took on the project and followed up with various departments across campus. This was above and beyond her normal tasks and took a lot of time and effort.
Jennifer Rosauer, Esthetic Program Coordinator & Professor, Cosmetology Department – nominated by Kris Dye I teach Esthetics at JCCC under the supervision of Jennifer but I had severe health issues this semester and was not able to teach in-person. Jennifer went above and beyond to make sure our students were not left behind in their curriculum, even though our team was then short one instructor. Jennifer acquired a significant amount of additional work due to my absence. She deserves many accolades for keeping the program on track!!!
Daniel Woldetsadik, Lead Housekeeper, Custodial Services – nominated by Megan Rosbury Daniel was a great help in relieving a sour smell in our office this morning. He responded quickly to my request to remove the main garbage, but he also went ahead and vacuumed the floors, checked the small bins, and talked with us to come up with a theory on why and where the smell started. He went above and beyond by returning to the office several times throughout the day to monitor the smell and make sure it was clearing. He checked in with us about safety concerns and office valuables before propping open our office door for air circulation and he told Public Safety about the door so we wouldn’t be bothered with a notification. He was kind and professional. We appreciate it!
Lydia Schifano, Administrative Assistant, Counseling & Advising – nominated by Carrie Thompson Lydia goes above and beyond in her position at JCCC. Lydia keeps our center running smoothly and efficiently and always with a smile on her face! We all appreciate her work ethic and her dedication to students and their success!
Julie Lombard-Williamson, Senior Buyer, Procurement Services – nominated by Yvonne Uribe Financial Services has spent several months putting together data to implement a new software to handle a complex new accounting standard, and the last step of this effort required collecting a large amount of procurement documents to submit to the software vendor. Julie provided fast, thorough, and informative assistance with obtaining these documents, occasionally parsing out what was being purchased and helping us connect with others when additional information was needed. Her help was invaluable and so appreciated!
Amy Keating, Administrative Assistant, Staff Development – nominated by Rachel Haynes Amy helped a potential student find where to go to get the services that she was looking for. The potential student came in trying to find where she needed to do English placement testing. Amy called around to various offices to ensure she was sending her to the right place. Amy then walked her over to where she needed to be on campus. This may have been a small part of Amy’s day, but I’m sure to a potential student, this interaction had a big impact of them.
Linda Blasdel, Tutor, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana Linda has fostered tutoring relationships with students this semester that shine a light on her values that so closely mirror our JCCC values. She is a proponent of life-long learning and creates a tutoring environment where students feel they truly belong. Linda recently hopped onto a spur-of-the-moment Zoom meeting to tutor an ESL student who was struggling with her psychology course – this was much appreciated and shows her willingness to go above and beyond for student success.
Rabeh Ghadiri, Coordinator, International & Immigrant Student Services – nominated by Kim Steinmetz Rabeh worked on an extensive data clean up project of old Banner records. This project was time consuming and detail oriented. She did a wonderful job and cleaned up around 1,000 legacy records. Rabeh goes above and beyond to ensure we’re maintaining record integrity. Thank you, Rabeh, for your hard work!
Janie Prather, Faculty/Staff Support, ASL & Deaf Studies – nominated by Christina Wolff I appreciate all the interpreters we have at JCCC. Their job is to insure that the Deaf professors and hearing faculty communicate with one another. Janie has gone beyond her job description, happily interpreting for me on multiple occasions when she has been “off the clock”. She always allows me to ask questions about ASL and has stepped in to facilitate a conversation between myself and someone else. Janie deserves recognition because she is always willing to take the time to educate and help those of us who are hearing while serving as a conduit.