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:
Keila Ferree, Records Specialist Verifications, Enrollment Services – nominated by Amy Sellers.
“Keila has gone the extra mile these past few weeks during peak enrollment season! She has been an essential part of helping enroll over 180 students in our Career Ready and Dual Degree programs, which help high school students take classes here at JCCC during their junior and senior year of high school to achieve CTE Certificates and associate’s degrees. Without Keila, these 180 students wouldn’t be with us next year!!”
Courtney Price, Billing & AR Coordinator, Bursar Operations – nominated by Amy Sellers.
“Courtney went the extra mile this past month to help out our Dual Degree students, who are high school students coming to JCCC to achieve their associate’s degree alongside their high school diploma. Courtney offered to come to our Dual Degree orientation, which was held at night, as she wanted to be able to help present accurate and timely information about the billing process for these high school students. She shows the extra effort in being willing to present and be there for students at all times! Thanks Courtney!”
Nathan Preston, Lead Enterprise Desktop Engineer & Support, Academic Technology Services – nominated by Adam Caylor.
“Nathan was recognized by Jeff Hoyer for his quick work on setting up a laptop cart for a last minute classroom change. Nathan’s prompt response allowed for a smooth experience for all involved. Well done!”
Audrey Lehr, Payroll Specialist, Payroll – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Audrey has been an incredibly helpful and supportive employee. She consistently goes above and beyond to assist me with any payroll questions or concerns. Audrey is always responsive, effective, and kind, which makes reaching out to her a positive experience every time. I truly appreciate her reliability—whenever I bring an issue to her, I know it will be resolved quickly and thoroughly. Just this week, I had a time-sensitive question, and Audrey helped me resolve it right away, ensuring there was no impact on the employee involved. Her dedication and kindness make her a joy to work with, and I’m so grateful to have her as a resource and teammate.”
Megan Kissel & Michelle Goebel, Access Advisor & Counseling Administrative Assistant, Access Services & Counseling – nominated by Holly Dressler.
“On May 15th at 4:30, a high school student with a disability came to JCCC with her aide and described challenges she was experiencing with the enrollment process. The student described a physical disability that made it difficult to get to campus but the student wanted assistance. Michelle Goebel spent a significant amount of time with the student answering questions and getting her the assistance she needed as well as sharing valuable information about resources at JCCC. Megan Kissel happened to walk through the lobby at 4:45 and Michelle asked if Megan could assist the student. Megan spent over 30 minutes answering questions from the student and her aide to ensure the student had what she needed. She also provided her contact information and encouraged them to contact her any time she ran into challenges. Michelle reached out to me and wanted to recognize Megan for the extra effort she made with the student. I really wanted to recognize them both for the help they provided the student on May 15th but also for the help like this they provide students every day.”
Rabeh Ghadiri, Office Coordinator, IISS – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Rabeh consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to the details of office operations, especially when it comes to front desk coverage. Even when last-minute scheduling challenges arise, she steps in without hesitation to ensure we remain fully staffed. If no one is available to cover, Rabeh willingly takes on the responsibility herself. It’s incredibly reassuring to know that she’s always ready to step up and make sure our students are supported.”
Cassandra McKay, Executive Assistant, Student Success & Engagement – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“During our recent all-branch meeting, Cassie went above and beyond by organizing a wonderful meal for the entire team. Not only was the food delicious, but she also created a welcoming space for us to connect and engage with colleagues across the branch. This kind of informal gathering plays a vital role in strengthening our sense of community, team identity, and morale. Thank you, Cassie, for your thoughtful planning and for making the event so special. Your efforts truly made a difference!”
Leslie Quinn, Dean, Student Success & Engagement – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Leslie recently organized a branch meeting where she shared vital information and walked us through important upcoming changes. The session was not only informative but also helped staff understand the reasoning behind the changes. By creating space for open dialogue, Leslie made sure everyone felt heard and valued. It was a great example of thoughtful communication and effective change management—thank you, Leslie, for leading with clarity and care!”
Lisa Gates, Benefits Specialist, Human Resources – nominated by Misty Miller.
“Lisa’s handled some incredibly tough cases recently with grace and determination. Her ability to balance it all, still show up with a smile, and ready to lend a hand, does not go unnoticed. She is a fantastic team player, always willing to support others. Her positive energy makes a real difference.”
Georgia Livingston, Administrative Assistant Records, Enrollment Services – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“IISS needed last-minute front desk coverage due to an important visit from our field representative, and Georgia stepped in willingly to help. This was above and beyond her regular duties, and her support made a big difference. It was incredibly helpful to have her at the front, welcoming and assisting students as they came in. Georgia consistently goes the extra mile for the team, and her willingness to help whenever needed does not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate her dedication and hard work!”
Ed Lovitt, Director Educational Technology, Educational Technology – nominated by Kim Steinmetz.
“Over the past year, Ed has done a fantastic job leading Staff Council. It’s a complex group with a wide range of strong opinions and diverse needs, and Ed has navigated it all with thoughtfulness and calm leadership. He’s worked hard to improve our accountability, especially around our ticket system and follow-ups on in-progress items. Most importantly, he’s made sure everyone feels heard and valued. Way to go, Ed! We appreciate your dedication and steady leadership.”
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:
- Teresa LeLand, Senior Network Analyst, Network & Data Center Operations
- Whitney Saporito, Network Technician, Network & Data Center Operations
Nominated by Holly Wimer, A-OK Program Coordinator, JCAE
Accomplishment:
We had a new AO-K Pathway approved by KBOR in May, which opened up opportunities for some of our GED students. I needed some student applications rushed so that students could have a chance at getting the remaining HVAC spots, and Teresa got this done so quickly for us! This is opening doors for our students and we are so grateful for her willingness to go the extra mile!
I have two other students who are enrolling in the last round of Administrative Assistant classes, and we had some challenges with their applications. Whitney Saporito was amazing to work with and quickly figured out what was wrong and helped problem solve so these students could move forward.
I am so grateful to have this amazing team in admissions who are willing to work with us for student success!
The TEAM EFFORT AWARD goes to:
- Aaron Manning, Custodial Operations Manager, Custodial Services
- Yonas Desalgne, Supervisor Custodial, Custodial Services
- Geremew Mamo, Lead Custodian, Custodial Services
- Damte Woldetsadik, Lead Custodian, Custodial Services
Nominated by Emily Zdjelar, Program Coordinator JCAE Operations, JCAE
Accomplishment:
For recognition of their outstanding support and quick action during the recent Johnson County Adult Education (JCAE) GED Graduation ceremony. Not only did this team help with every aspect of setting up for the ceremony—ensuring that every detail was in place and everything looked perfect—they also stepped up in a critical moment when things didn’t go as planned. When it was discovered that the reception had been set up in the wrong location, this team immediately jumped into action to relocate everything. They took initiative, stayed calm under pressure, and worked swiftly to ensure the reception was moved efficiently and in time for the celebration to begin as scheduled. Their dedication, teamwork, and positive attitude transformed what could have been a major disruption into a seamless transition. Because of their hard work both before and during the event, our graduates and their families were able to enjoy a beautiful, meaningful, and well-organized celebration. Their efforts exemplify the true spirit of going above and beyond.
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