May 19, 2026
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
Award presentation to be streamed live on Zoom
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Behind every great institution of higher education are people who show up with purpose every day. And today, that exceptional commitment will be honored. The California Community Colleges Board of Governors will present six professionals with the 2026 Classified Employee of the Year award.
The honorees, Misti Hardy of Shasta College, Carmen Hirkala of Sacramento City College, Lusyna Kim-Narvaez of Mission College, Desiree Ortiz of Irvine Valley College, Natalie Vázquez of Riverside College, and Crystal Villafaña-Tafoya of Barstow Community College will be recognized at the Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento at 1:39 p.m. You can watch the presentation live on Zoom.
“Today, we will celebrate and thank these six outstanding professionals for the difference they make every day. Their leadership and dedication to our students help drive meaningful progress toward the goals of Vision 2030 and reflect the future we’re building as a system: a future grounded in equity, opportunity, innovation, and student success,” said Board of Governors President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo.
The Classified Employee of the Year Award recipients are nominated by their colleagues and endorsed by the local board of trustees. Winners are selected by representatives from the Board of Governors, the Consultation Council and the Chancellor's Office based on their commitment to Vision 2030, the mission of community colleges and their professional standards.
“The leadership of our honorees extends beyond the work they accomplish; they go the extra mile to create opportunities for our students. By ensuring that all students are seen, supported, and positioned for meaningful success, our honorees are transforming our vision into lasting, systemic impact,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.
This year’s recipients are:
Misti Hardy, Shasta College
Misti Hardy has dedicated more than 14 years to Shasta College, where she is a tireless advocate for student success and equitable outcomes, particularly for justice-impacted students. As student success intervention coordinator, she has led transformative efforts aligned with Vision 2030 to expand access to financial aid, basic needs resources, and educational opportunities. Her outreach and partnerships have significantly increased participation in programs such as STEP-UP, helping students overcome barriers related to housing, food insecurity, and reentry into education. Through coordinated services, mentoring, and community partnerships, she has helped improve academic outcomes while shifting perceptions about the value of education for justice-impacted individuals.
Carmen Hirkala, Sacramento City College
Carmen Marie Hirkala has served Sacramento City College and the Los Rios Community College District for more than two decades, advancing equity, collaboration, and student success. As staff resource center assistant and caring campus coordinator, she helps foster a culture of belonging where students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, feel welcomed, supported, and connected to resources. As Classified Senate president, Carmen strengthened collaboration among classified professionals, faculty, and administrators while championing programs such as the Classified Mentorship Program and CORE Day to support employee growth and effectiveness. She has also contributed to statewide efforts through the California Community Colleges Classified Senate, helping advance equitable, student-centered practices.
Lusyna Kim-Narvaez, Mission College
Lusyna Kim-Narvaez has served Mission College for nearly a decade, advancing equity, inclusion, and student success through her leadership in the Office of Student Equity and Success. Her work reflects a strong commitment to Vision 2030, as she develops strategies that remove barriers and expand access for historically underrepresented students. Her leadership includes shaping Mission College’s Student Equity Plan and leading initiatives such as the Equity Ambassador Program and Classified Equity Certification Program to strengthen equity-minded practice. In addition to managing daily Equity Office operations, she mentors colleagues, supports onboarding efforts, and fosters inclusive campus culture through community-building initiatives.
Desiree Ortiz, Irvine Valley College
Desiree Ortiz has served the South Orange County Community College District for more than 21 years, demonstrating a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success. Currently a senior administrative assistant at Irvine Valley College, her career has spanned multiple departments, including Financial Aid and Police Services, where she has consistently worked to remove barriers and create supportive, student-centered environments aligned with Vision 2030. She has also led initiatives such as Caring Campus, co-founded a classified Guided Pathways team, and supported programs for first-generation students. As CSEA president and an active statewide contributor, she advocates for classified professionals while promoting collaboration and equity.
Natalie Vázquez, Riverside College
Natalie Vázquez serves Riverside City College as professional development coordinator, leading with a strong commitment to equity, collaboration, and employee growth as drivers of student success. Her work aligns closely with Vision 2030 through professional learning initiatives that equip employees to better support a diverse student population. Through programs such as the Equity-Minded Learning Institute and data literacy series, Natalie has helped embed equity into institutional practice. Her leadership spans program design, institutional strategy, and statewide engagement. Natalie collaborates across employee groups to align professional development with strategic goals while fostering an inclusive campus culture through initiatives such as the PURR committee.
Crystal Villafaña-Tafoya, Barstow Community College
Crystal Villafaña-Tafoya has dedicated more than 16 years to Barstow College, where she serves as a cornerstone of student support in the Teaching and Learning Support Center. Beginning as a student worker and growing into a classified professional, Crystal brings deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to helping students persist and achieve their goals. Her work reflects Vision 2030’s focus on creating welcoming, inclusive environments where all students can succeed. Beyond direct student support, Crystal mentors tutors and student employees, strengthening academic success across campus. She is widely respected for her professionalism, collaborative spirit, and steady leadership during institutional challenges, including the pandemic and cybersecurity disruptions.
Each recipient of the Classified Employee of the Year Award will receive a $750 cash award and a commemorative plaque. To view pictures from today’s presentation, visit our Classified Employee of the Year Award photo collection today after 5 p.m.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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