Vision in Action No. 77

May 19, 2022 - Vision in Action No. 77 

   

Clockwise from top left: Angie Alvarez, Pasadena City College; John Vandercook, De Anza and Foothill colleges; Carolyn Scott, Las Positas College; Mark Stramaglia, MiraCosta College; Mara Rodriguez, Moorpark College; Armando Trujillo, Bakersfield College and Katie Cabral, Cuyamaca College.

 CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BOARD OF GOVERNORS HONORS SEVEN CLASSIFIED PROFESSIONALS WITH 2022 CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Seven classified professionals who embody the best of the California Community Colleges and demonstrate its commitment to the Vision for Success will be honored May 23 at the Board of Governors meeting with this year’s Classified Employee of the Year Award.
 
The award has been given out annually since May 2009 to honor community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to the Vision for Success, the mission of the California Community Colleges and its local districts.
 
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
 
Angie Alvarez, Pasadena City College 
Angie Alvarez, Pasadena City College’s high school relations/college orientation specialist, is known for building engaging relationships while connecting students and parents with counselors, administrators and stakeholders to learn more about how PCC can help students achieve their goal. Creativity and innovation are grounding traits as she continues to find ways to address students’ needs, and her attention to detail shines throughout all projects she is involved with. Angie serves on multiple committees seeking to improve the guided entry process, and she has been a strong proponent of transitioning non-credit students to for-credit courses. 
 
Katie Cabral, Cuyamaca College
Katie Cabral last year stepped in to become Cuyamaca College’s Classified Senate President and has continued to grow her leadership and organizational skills by fostering communication, collaboration, and advocacy among classified professionals. She stays on top of the latest trends in community college student enrollment and success factors, and she has instituted systems for appointing classified representatives on committees and councils and broadening the cadre of classified staff who serve in participatory governance groups. Under her leadership, classified professionals have been empowered to share their knowledge, perspective, and expertise to improve the student experience. 
 
Mara Rodriguez, Moorpark College
Mara Rodriguez is a direct support for many initiatives that align with the Vision for Success. As Moorpark College’s Zoo Development coordinator, Mara is a relentless supporter of students in the Exotic Animal Training and Management, as well as the broader student body. She leaves a lasting impact on both students and colleagues alike, with one student describing her as having “a positive energy that is so inviting, like someone you really want to be friends with. She is an incredible mentor with so much knowledge and experience that I was always learning when we spoke.” 
 
Carolyn Y. Scott, Las Positas College
Carolyn Y. Scott is a force at Las Positas College with care and compassion toward all. The executive assistant for the vice president of Academic Services has been a respected voice for equitable outcomes for students from underserved populations – especially Black students. A member of the Black Education Association, Carolyn serves on the President’s Advisory Council on Race and Equity and championed the development of the Black Cultural Resource Center, where she volunteers regularly and serves as a mentor in the Connect UP program. Carolyn is a true campus leader and consummate professional.
 
Mark Stramaglia, MiraCosta College
Mark Stramaglia is a MiraCosta College senior enterprise applications developer with a positive attitude who is a team player and self-starter. An exemplary employee, Mark is dedicated to improving student success and the student experience through creative and innovative software solutions that improve efficiency and engagement. He also proposed the idea of hiring several student interns to assist in data migration in the Workday ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, and he consistently demonstrates a willingness to step up and take on new challenges to improve the student experience at MiraCosta College. 
 
Armando Trujillo, Bakersfield College
Educational advisor Armando Trujillo is a staunch advocate for military veterans at Bakersfield College. As the college’s sole, dedicated veteran advisor and a combat veteran himself, he strives to ensure that students not only enter their education informed, but are equipped with all necessary tools to succeed. His championing of Guided Pathways has contributed to a 47% rise of unduplicated veteran degree and certificate awards since he joined the team in 2015. Armando’s work is aligned with the needs of Bakersfield College’s impacted student populations as he provides support and mentorship to students.
 
John Vandercook, De Anza and Foothill Colleges
John Vandercook, who has served for more than 34 years at De Anza and Foothill colleges, leads the Technical Services team and plays a critical role in supporting both college campuses onsite even while most are working remotely. Indeed, colleagues call him “the hero who never left” during the most trying times of the pandemic. John embodies the Vision for Success through his relentless focus, decision-making, and execution in supporting all students. One example is John leading replacement of student computer equipment at the HOPE Centers, which serve our most disadvantaged students.