Past Extra Effort Award Winners
The EXTRA EFFORT AWARD goes to:
Anna Smith, Tutor Coordinator, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana.
“This week, while I was out of state for a conference, Anna jumped in to help a student in the Academic Probation Program. The student was directed to my office after their counseling meeting, but I was out of the office. Anna took time to talk the student through their AP Plan and make changes to best support her, which included connecting with a weekly Process Tutor. I am so thankful that Anna was there to go above and beyond for her.”
Ana Marmolejo Duque, Administrative Assistant, Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Alyssa Slana.
“Ana has been an incredible asset to the Navigating Academic Probation Program this semester. She creates fun and relevant newsletters each week for the students, helps me process new plan forms, and continuously comes up with new ideas about how to structure our Canvas shell to be more visually appealing and accessible for students! This goes beyond her normal duties as an Administrative Assistant and our team is lucky to have her.”
Eskedar Terefe, Administrative Assistant, IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Eskedar has been a vital support at our front office, consistently going above and beyond expectations daily. She works hard to ensure students feel welcomed, their information is complete, and she supports student workers while they learn. Eskedar has done an excellent job and is someone we can count on during difficult times. She is calm, kind, and detail oriented. She is truly deserving of this award and recognition for all she does to make our office a positive experience for everyone who visits.”
Sarah Maxwell, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Human Resources – nominated by Becky Miller.
“In addition to her primary responsibilities, Sarah has proven her dedication and commitment to our team’s success by stepping in to assist other areas of HR. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in her role, and I have appreciated her ability to think critically and find solutions to complex questions. Her customer service skills have improved our interactions with employees and stakeholders, building trust and connections throughout JCCC. Her insights and expertise have been incredibly beneficial while discussing HR topics and I am grateful for the knowledge she has shared. Sarah’s positive attitude, professionalism, and work ethic make her a remarkable asset to our team. It
has been a pleasure to have her here (for almost a year now!) and I look forward to her continued contributions and growth within JCCC.”
Regina Casner, Wellness Coordinator, Human Resources – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Regina has gone above and beyond to introduce new and innovative wellness programs at JCCC. She has added exciting new classes, provided nutritional support, and offered complementary massages. We all appreciate the extra TLC and her awareness of our physical and mental health. These programs make JCCC a wonderful place to work, allowing us to feel appreciated and cared for. Thanks Regina!
Khadeeja Salaam, CAV Leader, Admissions – nominated by Ryan Weber.
“Khadeeja has shown tremendous growth in giving tours to prospective students! She recently toured a group of Olathe students that were so impressed and grateful for her tour that they sent thank-you notes. Huge shoutout to Khadeeja for inspiring the next generation of Cavaliers!”
Ashley Jost, Supervisor, Financial Aid Scholarship, Communication & Outreach – nominated by Emily Zdjelar.
“When our scholarship direct form wasn’t working in the final week of the scholarship application process – even though she’s not IS she has experience working with dynamic forms in her own department and she hoped on a teams call and helped to find a solution so our students could complete their applications!”
Pete Belk, Director, Recruitment and Enrollment – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Pete works tirelessly to foster a culture of care and support among his employees. He is dedicated to assisting us in every aspect of our work. Despite facing challenging regulatory situations, Pete has guided us through each step. It is truly a joy to come to work with such an understanding and kind supervisor like Pete.”
Megan Casey, Interim Vice President, Chief Financial Officer – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Megan led a collaborative session with IISS and the Bursar, inviting international students to discuss the payment process. The session was invaluable for hearing from students and gaining insights into how we can support and promote financial wellness at JCCC. Students shared interesting ideas, and Megan was receptive and listened attentively. I have never worked at an institution so willing to engage and work with students on financial matters. Thanks to Megan for fostering such a positive financial culture for our students.”
Julie Sisk, International Student Navigator, IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Julie Sisk has done a fantastic job supporting students in completing the financial requirements for their I-20s. She has handled difficult phone calls with kindness and grace. She addressed concerns from unhappy students, helping them understand that we genuinely want them here. She consistently goes above and beyond to support students.”
Mary Blomquist, Tutor III, English for Academic Purposes – nominated by Amber Schrage.
“Mary volunteered several days at Johnson County Adult Education for tech setup and was a valuable member of the team. Her ability to communicate the tech information but also communicate in a different language was extremely helpful to our students. She helped problem solve and provided feedback to improve the processes.
Thank you, Mary!!”
Bruce Inwards, Tutor III, English for Academic Purposes – nominated by Amber Schrage.
“Bruce volunteered at almost all JCAE tech set-up sessions and was invaluable! He ability to communicate with students in Spanish, knows the tech so well, and is great at providing feedback and ideas to help improve the efficiency of the process. He is upbeat and has great rapport with any student that he comes in contact with. I am extremely grateful for all his help and support.
Thank you, Bruce!!”
Anne Rubeck, Digital Strategist, Strategic Communications & Marketing – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Anne has worked with IISS on important and last-minute changes to our website. We’ve had to rush several pages and updates, and Anne is always helpful, kind, quick, and thorough. She is professional and makes sure we always have consistent, accurate, and professional information for our students. She is a joy to work with. Thanks, Anne.”
Sherrie Stawinski, Adjunct Biology Faculty – nominated by Craig Corpstein.
“Sherrie teaches Bio 121 lab on Saturday afternoons. There have been many times in the past year when Sherrie goes far above her teaching duties by helping to put away lab materials, signs, and equipment when her lab is finished. This is greatly appreciated and unexpected. It is wonderful to work with Sherrie and I appreciate the lab prep help she gives.”
Angie Claussen, Counselor, Counseling – nominated by Alyssa Slana.
“Angie took the time to help a student adjust their Academic Probation Plan for this semester when they came in overwhelmed and needing to make a change. Angie took the initiative to adjust the student’s probation plan to fit her needs and helped her better understand the plan’s purpose. Angie kept me in the loop so I was aware of the situation/changes and could provide further information and support. This is a great example of wraparound services at work!”
Abigail Buck, ATS Support Technician, Acedemic Technology Services – nominated by Mullai Shipley.
“Abigail is a proactive and determined individual who is always willing to conduct thorough research and resolve any issues that arise. She consistently stays on top of her tasks and demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence by going the extra mile to ensure that her work is completed to the highest standard.”
Susan McGarvey, Administrative Assistant, NARS – nominated by Stephanie Beattie.
“I am honored to nominate Susan for the Extra Effort Award in recognition of her kindness, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond in supporting her colleagues. Since I started my role as an administrative assistant, Susan has spent several days guiding me through budget processes, showing me how to look up budgets, and providing me with helpful training materials. Her patience, expertise, and generosity in sharing her knowledge have made a significant impact on my ability to transition smoothly into my role. Susan is always kind and eager to lend a hand whenever I have a question. Her positive attitude and commitment to helping others reflect her incredible work ethic and team spirit. She truly is a superstar at what she does, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her.”
Ella Lynchnikova, Tutor III, English for Academic Purposes – nominated by Rebekah Godke.
“Ella took the time to meet with a student needing extra help with English pronunciation. She made time for this student and helped build confidence in the student.”
Kevin Caldwell, Tutor III, AAC & LRC – nominated by Rebekah Godke.
“Kevin always makes an extra effort to welcome students to the Academic Achievement Center and direct them to resources. He recently took the time to help a student prep for the AccuPlacer, even though that is outside his usual job duties.”
Anna Smith, Coordinator, AAC & LRC – nominated by Rebekah Godke.
“No matter what is going on, Anna is willing and happy to help students who need extra assistance in the Academic Achievement Center. She can be seen in the AAC handling different situations with patience and grace.”
Keila Ferre, Records Specialist Verifications, Enrollment Services – nominated by Amy Sellers.
“Keila has gone above and beyond this week to assist Early College and our K12 partners! Our Dual Degree and Career Ready programs require a lot of assistance with transcript printing and delivery, and Keila was on top of the whole process. She stayed organized, dependable, and was in constant communication with me and our K12 counselors with a VERY short turnaround (like 1 day) to make sure students grades could be entered in a timely manner. This program could not run without Keila’s dependability and support! Thanks for going the Extra Mile!”
Seth Mullis, Sergeant, JCCC Police Department – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Due to the snowstorm, JCAE had to quickly move its ESL registration online. JCAE put signs up out front of West Park and had flyers made. Seth, who has worked this event several times, agreed to go to West Park on Monday, January 6, despite the 10 inches of snow, to ensure that no one was waiting outside of West Park in the cold and snow. Seth texted the JCAE team to inform them that no one was there, and the building was fine. Seth went above and beyond for JCAE and its students. Thank you!”
Mike Vochatzer, Printing Services Supervisor, Printing Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Due to the snowstorm on Monday, January 6, JCAE had to move its ESL registration online. With less than 24 hours to prepare for the event, JCAE worked with Marketing and Doc Services to have signs and flyers with QR made to hang out in front of West Park. Mike’s expertise and quick turnaround were paramount to JCAE communicating effectively to potential new students.”
Christa Byer, Digital Strategist, Marketing – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Due to the snowstorm on January 6, JCAE had to transition its in-person ESL registration to an online option with less than 24 working hours. Christa was a huge support to JCAE helping with the creation of a landing page and QR code to help provide communication to potential students. She answered all of our questions quickly and was so kind and easy to work with. Thank you, Christa!”
Anne Rubeck, Digital Strategist, Marketing – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Due to the snowstorm on January 6, JCAE had to move its in-person ESL registration online with less than 24 working hours to prep. Anne was incredibly helpful with creating a landing page and QR code to help direct potential students to online information. She answered all of our questions and was kind and easy to work with. Thank you, Anne.”
Skyler Fox, Unified Communications & Collaboration Manager, Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra
“The snowstorm on January 6 caused JCAE to transition its in-person ESL registration to online with less than 24 working hours to prepare. Skyler was incredibly helpful with helping the JCAE understand and use the new phone system. He was available on Monday, January 6 from home to answer questions and reset the phone system so updated messages could be posted to callers. Without Skylar’s support and expertise, potential new students wouldn’t have been able to have their questions answered. Thank you, Skyler!”
“Skyler was also unanimously nominated by the Student Success Directors. We have all experienced some bumps when transitioning into the new phone system. When working with Skyler to resolve these issues, he is really caring, supportive, and genuinely wants to help. We appreciate how hardworking and kind he has been to all of us.”
Amber Heldt, Executive Assistant, Academic Affairs – nominated by Stephanie Beattie.
“I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all the support Amber has given me since I started. Taking over her role has been a learning experience, and I truly appreciate how patient and helpful she has been every step of the way. Even with everything on her plate as she transitions into her own new role, she is never too busy to answer my questions or guide me in the right direction. Her kindness and willingness to help have made a huge difference in my onboarding experience, and I’m so grateful to have her as a resource and mentor. Thank you for everything Amber—you’re truly appreciated!”
Sasha Edelman, Administrative Assistant, Science – nominated by Stephanie Beattie.
“I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Sasha for all the support she has given me as I settle into my role. Her willingness to spend time training me, sharing valuable materials, and guiding me through everything I need to learn has made such a difference in my journey. Her kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed, and I’m truly grateful to have someone as knowledgeable and supportive as her to lean on. I appreciate all the time and effort she has put into helping me—I’m learning so much from her, and I can’t thank her enough!”
Julius Masbaum, ATS Support Technician, ATS – nominated by Darren Jenkins.
“While working on a separate technical issue, Julius discovered a laptop that is generally stored in a cabinet. Julius figured out a way to have this laptop out of the cabinet, in a secure location, where it could receive important updates and remain immediately available to staff who need it. This solution increases the usability and the security of the laptop, balancing these two important qualities.”
Kristen Burroughs, Administrative Assistant-ARC – nominated by Kara Kynion
“Kristen has been stepping in frequently to cover shifts at the front desk this semester when her colleagues are out sick. She is consistently reliable, kind, and helpful.”
Paige Weiskirch, Tutor-Writing Center – nominated by Kara Kynion
“Paige worked a weekend shift when we were short staffed due to a colleague being out sick. Despite being the only tutor working, she was able to help both appointment and drop-in students, including some students whose papers were due that day, exhibiting adaptability and a kind demeanor.”
Jerry Droge, Stationary Engineer-Maintenance – nominated by Courtney Barden
“Our department recently moved into a new office suite. We were very happy with our new location, however, because of the position of the office, the air flow and air conditioning were very poor. Jerry put in MANY hours in our office suite and hallway, problem solving what turned out to be a difficult project. In the end, we now have a comfortable work environment that allows all members of our staff to LOVE our new space. Jerry easily could have stopped making attempts when it was discovered how challenging it was going to be, but instead he continued on. We are very grateful!”
Tony Gilyard, ABM Custodian – West Park – nominated by Leslie Dykstra
“JCAE had a student who was having a seizure. Without thinking, Tony immediately helped the student. The student was utilizing a wheelchair and was unconscious. He picked her up and along with another staff member kept her upright with her head up so she could breathe until she regained consciousness. Tony was an incredible help until paramedics arrived and were able to support. JCAE is beyond grateful for the help Tony has brought to our building.”
Maggie Hodge, Transfer Articulation Analyst – Admissions – nominated by Ina Crane “Maggie has been a great asset in updating our equivalency database. As part of this massive project, she has compiled documents and trained some of our colleagues to help update the database. She has stepped up and beyond her responsibilities and I greatly appreciate her competence and skill.”
Doug Patterson, Professor Astronomy- Science – nominated by Sarah Armbrecht
“Dr. Patterson approached us asking for assistance in creating and promoting middle school Astronomy field trips. We are in our second year partnering with him to offer these field trips to area middle schools, and the feedback from our middle school partners has been phenomenal. Dr. Patterson takes a complicated subject matter and makes it interesting and relevant for these students. He is always warm, engaging and excited for the students to dig into his planned activities. He noticeably delights in student’s curiosity and welcomes all questions. Dr. Patterson is a shining example of what teaching should be. He undoubtedly is inspiring young students to consider exploring the field of Astronomy and simultaneously leaving a positive lasting impression of JCCC.”
Jared Schmitz, Tutor III- Writing Center – nominated by Kara Kynion
“Jared handles all of the writing-related academic integrity remediation process students who come through the Writing Center. This past semester, there have been many cases to come Jared’s way. These conversations are not always easy, as students are often frustrated or upset, but Jared does a fantastic job of talking with them about the situation, providing guidance on what to do differently in the future, and creating an educational opportunity that helps the student see a path forward.”
Courtney Price, Billing & Accounts Payable Coordinator-Bursar Operations – nominated by Amy Sellers
“Courtney Price goes the extra mile for all her projects, Early College included. We have a partnership with Blue Valley School Districts that allows over 100 students to come to campus to take classes that go towards an associate’s degree or a Career and Technical Education certificate, and it is only possible because of people like Courtney Price who helps with the billing each semester. She is organized, always responsive, and has built a great partnership with our K12 partners! Thanks for going the extra mile Courtney!”
Chris Leeson, Sr. Cloud Systems/Application Administrator-ATS – nominated by Adam Caylor.
“I want to nominate Chris for the work he completed to resolve an application system issue. Chris worked above and beyond (including on a day off!) to solve the deployment issue.”
Darren Jenkins, Sr. Cloud Systems/Application Administrator-ATS – nominated by Adam Caylor.
“I want to nominate Darren for the work he completed to resolve an application system issue. Darren worked above and beyond (including into the evening) to solve the deployment issue.”
Zachery Ayers, Financial Aid Accounting Specialist-Financial Aid Office – nominated by Danielle Sullivan
“Zachery created an amazingly comprehensive training that helped our team understand some difficult financial aid concepts. Some of us in the office were hesitant to provide answers to student questions because we were unsure of the process. Instead of just sending an email or providing a verbal update, Zachery created visual materials and went over real examples that dissected the process in a way that was understandable. He created a flow chart for us and additional references that have proven immeasurably helpful. Thank-you Zachery for the extra effort you put into creating this awesome training!”
Sharron Stewart, Administrative Assistant-Counseling – nominated by Aimee Martin
“Sharron joined the counseling center in July from cosmetology right before one of the busiest times of the year for the center. She jumped right in learning brand new processes and systems and being trained by employees from another area. Since then we have updated our processes multiple times and she takes the changes in stride, always wanting to provide the best services to our students.”
Michelle Goebel, Administrative Assistant-Counseling – nominated by Aimee Martin
“Michelle joined the counseling center in July from cosmetology right before one of the busiest times of the year for the center. She jumped right in learning brand new processes and systems and being trained by employees from another area. Since then we have updated our processes multiple times and she takes the changes in stride, always wanting to provide the best services to our students.”
Carrie Vredenburg, Administrative Assistant-Counseling – nominated by Aimee Martin
“Carrie joined the counseling center in July from cosmetology right before one of the busiest times of the year for the center. She jumped right in learning brand new processes and systems and being trained by employees from another area. Since then we have updated our processes multiple times and she takes the changes in stride, always wanting to provide the best services to our students.”
Brash Njulu, Catering Lead-Dining Services – nominated by Andrew Woody.
“Brash worked extra hard through the summer of 2024. He was dependable and acted as a leader, helping catering to accomplish our goals while working with less staff. We thank him and his extra effort.”
Eliza Taylor, Catering Lead-Dining Services – nominated by Andrew Woody. “Eliza did the work of a lead in catering over the summer 2024. She was always available, ready to work, and has a great attitude. She logged a lot of hours and made herself a very valuable part of the team. What an outstanding help for us! Greatly appreciated her extra hours.”
David Dominguez, Counselor- Counseling – nominated by Alyssa Slana.
“David took time, during their busy season in Counseling, to walk a student from his office in the Student Center across campus to my office in the library. This student is a part of the Navigating Academic Probation Program, so building this bridge right away is extremely beneficial for the student and an essential component of wrap-around services.”
Katie Ashley, Program Coordinator-Workforce Development & Continuing Education- nominated by Kayla Harrity.
“While in line for the pastry sale, Katie conversed with the woman behind us, a former JCCC student and community member. She could not stand for long periods and brought a foldable stool with her. While in line, the woman fell backward off the stool and onto the floor, hitting her head. Katie, who has had CNA training, jumped into action. She stayed with the woman until JCCC Police and medical responders arrived. The woman was fine, although a bit shaken about having fallen. After the woman was assessed and able to get up, Katie still remained with her, getting back into the line and assisting with her making her purchases and walking her to her car after purchasing the items. This was well outside the scope of Katie’s role, but she used her skills to help someone in need without hesitation. She truly went above and beyond and represented JCCC staff so well.”
Erin Walters, Counselor- Counseling – nominated by Linday Blanchard.
“Erin is such an encouragement to all of us support staff. She took special time to write us all several messages during our busiest time of the year to say thanks for all of our “behind the scenes” roles. We appreciated all those shout outs so much!”
Alice Baty, Counselor- Counseling – nominated by Linday Blanchard.
“Alice is always so student focused–and that shows in how she builds her daily schedule and eagerness to help walk-ins. There have been times a student has just vanished from the waiting room because Alice came to get them so fast! She is always going above and beyond, and we see her all the time acting as a liaison to other resources–from helping students schedule Access Services appointments, talk to Financial Aid, meet with Registration, and more.”
Sheila Rader, Administrative Assistant – Comm. English & Journalism – nominated by James Hillen and Samuel Sommerville.
“Sheila Rader, Administrative Assistant of the Communications Department, helped the Spanish Immersion Retreat committee immensely in the preparation and implementation of the 2024 retreat.”
Haley Crawford, Financial Aid Communications Coordinator – Financial Aid – nominated by Ashley Jost.
“During the summer, we lost a team member to a promotion. Haley, who is only in her first year at JCCC, was quick to step in and take on additional scholarship responsibilities. She learned quickly and worked long hours to help with the increased workload on our team. This is an extremely busy time of year in our office and our performance has a great impact on a student’s enrollment intentions. Along with that, FAFSA issues continued to be unveiled that required extra attention. She remained detailed and diligent all while keeping a positive attitude during this stressful time. We are fortunate to have her at JCCC and the extra effort she provided was greatly appreciated!”
Jeremy Gragg, ATS Support Technician- Academic Technical Support – nominated by Brad Staupp.
“Following the recent implementation of Yuja Verity at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, some unforeseen issues arose with the EMS program during online testing using another product. After significant effort and reconfiguration, Jeremy Gragg successfully engineered a streamlined solution by developing a Kisko mode application to resolve the plugin conflict, thereby enabling testing with both programs. Thanks for such a creative solution, Jeremey!”
Jaya Daniel, IISS Coordinator – IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. “I am writing to bring to your attention the extra efforts of Jaya during our recent mandatory reporting period. Jaya has demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication in ensuring that students are notified of any necessary adjustments and provided with the necessary support to maintain their status. It is evident that Jaya has gone above and beyond in reaching out to students who may be at risk of falling out of compliance with the reporting requirements. Her proactive approach has been instrumental in helping students understand the importance of maintaining their status and the potential consequences of failing to do so. I believe that Jaya’s efforts have not only benefited the students she has worked with but have also contributed to the overall success of our reporting period. I would like to express my appreciation for her hard work and dedication in this regard.”
Jocelyn Devaney-Prasad, IISS Coordinator – IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz. “Jocelyn has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving our orientation process by making it more student friendly. She has taken proactive steps to develop our presence on Canvas, effectively utilizing the platform to support student engagement. Her dedication to ensuring that students have a holistic experience at JCCC is truly commendable. In addition, Jocelyn has worked diligently to accommodate students who are unable to attend our face-to-face orientation sessions by implementing a required online orientation. This initiative not only demonstrates her proactive approach to student support but also underscores her commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Overall, Jocelyn’s contributions have significantly enhanced the orientation experience for our students, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. I believe that her proactive and student-centered approach is a valuable asset to our institution.”
Erica Lowry, Supervisor Student Development Specialist-Enrollment Services – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for Erica’s exceptional efforts in supporting our department at IISS. Erica has consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication in ensuring smooth transitions for students entering our courses. Her expertise and attention to detail have been invaluable in helping students navigate important deadlines and requirements, particularly for our international student population. College Now was a stressful deadline that Erica provided a lot of support to IISS. Erica’s passion for enhancing the student experience is truly commendable, and her contributions have not gone unnoticed. We are fortunate to have Erica as a resource within our team, and her proactive approach to fostering student success is truly commendable. Please extend my gratitude to her for her continued efforts and support.”
Kelly McGregor, Travel & P-Card Analyst-Accounts Payable – nominated by Christina Wolff.
“Kelly took time to help me, and my colleague Kotoko Grass understand Concur. We appreciate your kindness and patience with us and the face-to-face meeting.”
Joel Straight, Sr Warehouse & Postal Service Associate -Warehouse – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Joel’s creativity and writing genius brings joy and laughter to anyone who reads the Surplus Furniture Descriptions. Many people have told me they visit the Padlet site when they need a laugh. Thank you for being a spot of sunshine, Joel!”
Alyssa Slana and Yumiko Robinson, Wrap Around Services Coordinator and Japanese Tutor – AAC – nominated by Christina Wolff.
“Alyssa quickly sprang into action when I asked the AAC to schedule one on one tutoring for a student. Both Alyssa and Yumiko have done everything possible to help schedule time for a student. outside of tutoring hours. Thank you!”
Krista Grace, Admission Navigator-Admissions – nominated by Julie Sisk.
“Krista recently moved into the Navigator role and has hit the ground SPRINTING! She has taken on a huge role, being the primary contact for prospective students and their families who visit JCCC wanting to learn more, and she goes above and beyond not just to make sure every person has all of their questions answered, but also to make them feel welcome.”
Lizbeth Alaniz, CAV Leader-Admissions – nominated by Lisa Turner-Hernandez. “As an Admissions Ambassador, one of Lizbeth’s primary responsibilities is to give campus tours. After a tour she gave a potential student and their guardian, they reached out to sing Lizbeth’s praises for an outstanding campus experience.
“Thanks again for all the info and great tour yesterday! Lizbeth was AMAZING, and we all really connected! Way to go Lizbeth! Thanks for providing such a great tour experience for our potential students and their families!”
Andy Dandino, Creative Manager-Strategic Communications & Marketing – nominated by Lisa Turner-Hernandez.
“Andy went above and beyond to help get a postcard out to current high school seniors for our upcoming HS Senior Day event on a very limited timeline. Not only did he take care of all the creative content for the postcard, he worked with Printing Services on my behalf to find an available production window and expedite delivery. I cannot thank him enough for all guidance and assistance he provided!”
Aliyah Mata, CAV Leader-Admissions – nominated by Ryan Weber.
“Aliyah got a huge compliment from an external teacher for giving an excellent campus tour! She showcases our campus phenomenally!”
Paul Knoettgen, Manager Warehouse & Postal Services-Warehouse – nominated by Alyssa Slana.
“Paul has been super dependable and timely with our needs to pack and send out informational letters to students! He is always willing to help and gets things done fast– especially when we ask for a quick turnaround time! Big shout out to Paul and his team for being our go-to help!!”
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
“The tutors supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. They were helpful, kind, and supportive of our students and staff.”
Dan Mueller, Counselor-Academic Advising & Counseling – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard
“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 Buck, ATS Support Technician–Academic Technology Services – nominated by Chad Rawalt.
“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!!”
Eskedar Terefe, Administrative Assistant-IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“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!”
Rabeh Ghadiri, Office Coordinator Advisor-IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“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.”
Joe Hallecook, Market Lead-Dining Services – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“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.”
Rachel Haynes, Director, Employee Engagement & Development-Staff Development – nominated by Kim Steinmetz
“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!”
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.
“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 Weber, Admissions Concierge-Admissions – nominated by Lisa Turner-Hernandez.
“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!”
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:
– “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!”
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.
“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 Cotsworth, Business Analyst-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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 Jones, Administrative Assistant-Academic Achievement Center – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Lori supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. She was kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
Mark Barbosa, Manager Technology Support Center-Client Support Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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.”
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.
“Daniel supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. He was kind, helpful and supportive with our students and staff.”
Richard Delerue, Application Architecture Manager-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Richard supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. He was kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
Alex Prutsman, Business Analyst-Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Alex supported JCAE ESL tech set-up. They were kind, helpful, and supportive of our students and staff.”
Susan Ullman & Erica Lowrey Student Development Specialist & Supervisor Student Development Specialists – nominated by Lindsay Blanchard.
“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 Edsall, Coordinator-Campus Services – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“Amy helped JCAE through the transition of new classrooms. She communicated, followed up, and supported us the entire way.”
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.
“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!”
Alex Prutsman, Business Analyst, Enterprise Application Support – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“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 Belk, Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Strategy – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“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.”
Joyce Friedel, Administrative Assistant, Academic Support – nominated by Christina Wolff.
“Thanks to Joyce for stepping in to help with multiple changes to the Fall 2024 schedule when my admin was absent this week.”
Victoria Olson, Supervisor of CE Registration – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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 Phillips, ABM Manager, Facilities – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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 Shaeffer, ABM Supervisor, Facilities – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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 Harrity, Director of Operations-CE – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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 Riggs, Access Control – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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!”
Seth Mullis, JCCC Police Sergeant – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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.”
Doug Casida, JCCC Police Officer – nominated by Leslie Dykstra.
“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!!”
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.
“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.”
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.”
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.”
November – December 2023 LaQuaysha Rockette, Veteran Services Outreach Assistant, Veteran Services – nominated by Kena Zumalt
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.”
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
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.”
August – September, 2023
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!
July 1, 2023
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!
JUNE 1, 2023
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.