Extra Effort & Team Effort Awards
Virtual Extra Effort Nomination Form
Virtual Team Extra Effort Nomination Form
Click here to Jump to Team Effort Awards
The EXTRA EFFORT AWARD goes to:
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.”
Team Effort Award Nomination Form
The Team Effort Award recognizes a group accomplishment related to achieving goals in the Strategic and/or Operational Plans of JCCC. It may be a task force or cross functional team representing multiple departments or may be for an outstanding accomplishment by a single department or workgroup.
The TEAM EFFORT AWARD goes to:
- Chad Rawalt, Sr Enterprise Desktop Engineer, Information Services
- Robert Pitts, Sr Enterprise Desktop Engineer, Information Services
- Kathryn Douglas, Evening Supervisor Student Technical Support Center, Client Support Services
- Nathan Preston, Lead Enterprise Desktop Engineer & Support, Academic Technology Serivces
- Brett Robertson, ATS Support Technician, Academic Technology Serivces
- Jeremy Gragg, ATS Support Technician, Academic Technology Serivces
- Alex Wolf, ATS Federal Work Study, Academic Technology Services
Nominated by Brad Staupp, Director of Classroom & Lab Support – ATS/IS Accomplishment:
I wanted to inform you that the recent deployment of Yuja Verity caused some unexpected issues with the EMS program’s online testing with another product. However, the ATS Labs and Classroom and members of Client Support Services team quickly found multiple solutions and deployed mobile Chromebook carts to minimize disruption. This involved locating and deploying other equipment and other workarounds on a temporary basis until a final solution was discovered and fully implemented. As a result, EMS testing continued with minimal disruption and classes were able to proceed as scheduled.
Ties in with JCCC Strategic Goal(s):
Student Success
S1: Ensure our models of teaching and learning lead to student success.
S3: Create effective systems and pathways for students.
The TEAM EFFORT AWARD goes to:
- Jennifer Schrowe, lead digital literacy instructor, JCAE
- Natasha Jenkins, – lead instructor – OHEC and Main Campus, JCAE
- Julie Mulder, – lead instructor – West Park, JCAE
- Michelle Elwood, – lead instructor – Roeland Park, JCAE
- Margery Downey, – lead instructor – Gardner and Distance Education, JCAE
- Michele Buescher, – instructor – Main Campus, JCAE
- Marian Rose, – instructor – OHEC, JCAE
- Jill Reed, – instructor – OHEC, JCAE
- Kelly Lillis, – instructor – OHEC, JCAE
- Carol Souders, – instructor – West Park, JCAE
- Erin Lutz, – instructor – West Park – JCAE
- Adrianne Metcalf, – instructor – West Park, JCAE
- Katie Luettel, – instructor – Roeland Park, JCAE
- Ashley Richter, – instructor – Roeland Park, JCAE
- LaShea Wilson, – instructor and digital literacy – Roeland Park, JCAE
- Teresa Desmarteau, – instructor – ARC, JCAE
Nominated by Jessica Decker, ABE/GED Program Coordinator – JCAE
Accomplishment:
At JCAE, we onboard new GED students four times a year. We just finished our second onboarding session for FY25 on October 17 and welcomed 111 new students to GED classes. The 2nd quarter onboarding session is always an all-hands-on-deck group effort because we also must continue to provide instruction to our students who started with us in August. The whole GED staff works together to keep things running as usual while also welcoming new students to all classes and helping them transition smoothly to the work environment that is already established in classrooms. We could not do this without every member of the team doing their assigned task on schedule and with close attention to detail. I am grateful for all the instructors on our team who are dedicated to their positions and are always willing to take on extra tasks to ensure things flow smoothly and all students feel welcome and supported. Instructors are excited to help new students get started and already talking about getting students to their goal of obtaining their GED and deciding what goal they will set next. I want to thank my team for all they do each day to help JCAE students.
Ties in with JCCC Strategic Goal(s):
Student Success
S1: Ensure our models of teaching and learning lead to student success.
S3: Create effective systems and pathways for students.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
S2: Develop and support an inclusive environment that empowers all students, faculty, and staff to succeed.
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