Edmondson: Administrative Center Employee of the Month

For those of us who have had trouble navigating around MCC’s maze of systems and procedures, many have turned to Kristy Edmondson to help find the way. And because of that, Kristy has been selected as this month’s Administrative Center (AC) Employee of the month.

Kristy’s nine years at MCC was preceded by employment at Harte-Hanks, a marketing company she worked at for six years. She excelled at customer service and brought those skills with her to MCC.

One nominator wrote, “I have witnessed her cheerful and generous attitude in helping anyone with a question. If she does not know, she finds out. It doesn’t matter if it is an administrator, faculty or staff; she treats us all with the same respect and effort and always with a smile, going the extra mile on our behalf.” Many others concur. “I’ve always called Kristy when I get hung up on how to do something or who I should contact. She’s always helpful, even though she handles multiple jobs.”

Kristy is currently the administrative assistant to Paul Long, vice chancellor of academic affairs and technology. In addition to assisting Paul, she handles all of the travel arrangements for the district; handles arrangements for faculty hiring each year; and process tuition reimbursements for the district. She is also currently the AC Staff Association Vice President and serves on several committees.

It’s a perfect fit. When asked what she like about her job, Kristy responds, “I love being able to help people. I try to go out of my way to assist anyone that I can. We all know that processes at MCC can be cumbersome and a helpful, friendly voice is sometimes all someone needs to make a situation a little easier.”

Kristy also notes that she enjoys the great camaraderie with staff at the AC. “We have a good time at staff association sponsored events like our potlucks or first day of class pizza lunches.”

Most of Kristy’s free time is spent with her husband Tim, and two kids Riley and Tyler. She enjoys planning family vacations, reading, cooking and girls night out.

MCC-Longview Employee of the Month: Hallie Cottrell

Please join me in congratulating Hallie Cottrell, Administrative Assistant in the Reading Department, as the August Employee of the Month (EOM).

Here is what Hallie's co-workers are saying about her:

“Hallie is prompt and prepared in meeting the secretarial needs of the Reading Department. She often anticipates our needs accurately.”

“She is always helpful to employees and students who come to the reading department with questions and needs.”

“Hallie is a conscientious employee, and I am glad to be able to nominate her for this award.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Hallie, on a job well done!

MCC-Longview July employee of the month: Arlene Arel

Please join me in congratulating Arlene Arel, Longview Café Chef, as July Employee of the Month.

Arline Arel moved to Grandview from Haverhill, Massachusetts, and then built a house in Lee’s Summit.  She began working as a chef in Longview’s kitchen more than 25 years ago — and also was the fry cook when needed.  She cooked up a storm for the employees and the students, enjoying every minute of it.  The last four years she has been the head cashier.  

Last summer, when Longview decided to close the kitchen. But it shortly reopened because Arline was willing to prepare hot food and the salad line by herself.  Again, this was a labor of love.

She maintains that she will never retire because she enjoys the company of Longview’s employees and students.  She says, “I love the students—seeing their growth and achievements."

She still finds time between semesters when the café is closed to go camping, boating, and swimming.  She has nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren with whom she enjoys her vacation time.

Congratulations Arlene!

MCC-Maple Woods July Employee of the Month: Diane Aubrey

A student services specialist in the Advising-Counseling office, Diane Aubrey does a great deal of work for students "behind the scenes," including special enrollments and tracking down complex technical issues/problems that impact student success.

She is an incredible multitasker who is able to move forward through her work while being interrupted numerous times a day with student and co-worker questions, which she answers with her wealth of knowledge. Diane is so quietly competent and efficient that few people realize how much "over-and-above" she applies to her job duties and her contributions to students and co-workers. Diane is an exceptional employee who is central to the success of the MCC-Maple Woods Advising Counseling Center.

Congratulations to Dave Owens, MCC-Blue River employee of the month

Congratulations to Dave Owens, fitness, recreation and athletics coordinator at MCC-Blue River. He is the employee of the month!

Dave was nominated because his efforts to begin an annual “Run thru the River” 5K exemplify our mission statement since it provides a healthy activity, money for the Staff Association to create scholarships and student opportunities, and involves Blue River in the community in a positive and motivational way.

Thanks, Dave, for a fun, successful, and motivational “Run thru the River!”

An Unsung “B”ero

Let’s be honest, accounting people don’t usually get much credit. They’re often thought of simply as number-crunchers who prefer working with calculators to working with people.

That stereotype does not ring true for many of MCC’s accounting staff, including this month’s Administrative Center employee of the month, B Sanchez. Recognized by her nominator as “an upbeat and compassionate person who fills a vital role in accounting,” B is an accounting specialist who has worked at MCC for three years.

B, who goes by the shortened version of her given name,

MCC-Maple Woods June Employee of the Month: Betty Roecker

Betty Roecker, a part time administrative assistant, that goes above and beyond to serve not just one but two academic divisions: Math, Physics, & Communications and Science & Technology. She helps students, faculty, staff and division chairs with forms, faxing, copying, scheduling meetings and assigning classes, keeping up with paperwork and budgets and deadlines, and she does it with professionalism, diplomacy, and genuine kindness.  

Not only does she fill her normal hours, she has come in beyond her usual hours to serve on screening committees, to train newly-hired administrative assistants, and to help with evening recruiting events and moves due to construction. She takes initiative and is creative in approaches to presenting information or solving problems. 

She keeps abreast of facilities needs and construction in the Math/Science Building and is a great communicator. She has helped greatly with efforts to move faculty into the Math/Science building after the division restructuring, and she continues to posit creative solutions to using the diminishing space as construction continues - even while adjusting to a smaller and less ideal office space herself.

MCC-Longview Employee of the Month: Willis Cole

Please join me in congratulating Willis Cole, Custodian, as June Employee of the Month.

Here is what others on campus are saying about Willis:

“He is dedicated and does an excellent job.”

“He has significantly improved the look of the Campus Center.”

“Willis has a pleasant and respectful attitude. He speaks to all with dignity and respect.”

“Willis is phenomenal.”

“You only have to ask Willis one time for something you need, and it gets done.”

“He’s a very good example to us all.”

Rewards for Marriott

Like the hotel chain that bears her name, Patti Marriott is known for great hospitality.

“She’s the kind of person who just makes things happen,” said one colleague. “She is unassuming and treats all people with respect and cordiality.”

Her cordiality and hospitality are what earned Patti the honor of May employee of the month for the Administrative Center. Patti is known around the AC for being kind and committed to her work.

“She is not loud or pushy, just goes about her job of advancing the MCC mission every day,” said her nominator.

Patti is a MetroSoft system manager, which means

Tom Forsythe honored as Penn Valley employee of month!

Tom Forsythe is counting down to retirement and enjoying his honor as Penn Valley employee of the month.

After more than three decades of service, Tom Forsythe is set to retire. But before he walks out the door, his peers decided to honor him by nominating him for employee of the month for May.

"For almost 32 years, Tom has been the heartbeat of the Penn Valley Library," says Scot Phillips, co-worker. "His thorough knowledge of both library and general MCC matters has been of great service to countless students. He is an invaluable resource that will be impossible to replace."

Phillips describes Forsythe as an intelligent and caring. "He makes you feel appreciated, whether it be as a co-worker or a student. He takes a real interest in what is going on in your life and goes out of his way to treat everyone he comes in contact with in the library as a friend."

LaBeth loves learning, laughing

Spend two minutes with Rodger LaBeth and one thing is clear: he enthusiastically embraces each day in his work as a professional development trainer at MCC. His ever-present smile and his perpetually-happy mood convey a genuine zeal for his career as an educator – and his love for lifelong learning.

It’s Rodger’s passion for his work that led to his nomination as April employee of the month for the Administrative Center.

Rodger’s 10 years at MCC was preceded by a career in collegiate and high school athletics. He worked as the football coach at Oak Grove High School and then in the same role at his alma mater, William Jewell College. His 20-year career at William Jewell included a stint as dean of physical education, athletics and facilities.

Rodger holds bachelor of arts degrees in biology and physical education from William Jewell and a master of arts degree in sports administration from Ohio University. He also completed coursework in the doctoral

Genea Wilson: MCC-Longview April Employee of the Month

Please join me in congratulating Genea Wilson, social science administrative assistant, as MCC-Longview's April Employee of the Month.

Along with being a diehard KU fan, here is what her co-workers are saying about Genea.

“While Judy Smith was gone, Genea went above and beyond to help those of us in the Humanities.”

“As a new instructor, she’s been super helpful to me with procedural questions.”

“Genea checks in on me to see how I am doing despite being incredibly busy herself.”

“I’m so grateful for her friendliness and assistance.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Genea, on a job well done!

Gabrielle Moore-Jones selected as Penn Valley employee of the month

Everyone who enters the Student Development offices at MCC-Penn Valley is greeted with a smile from Gabrielle Moore-Jones.

"Gabrielle Moore-Jones is a dedicated, outstanding employee," says her co-worker Jim Nichols. "She has demonstrated this through her daily punctual opening of the Student Services front desk facilities and her appearance, bearing, and demeanor."

Counselor Dachia Scroggins agrees. "She is very professional and patient with students. We sometimes have to force her to leave work because she always has 'one more thing to do or check on' before leaving her desk."

This devoted staff member's good deeds have not gone unnoticed and make her the employee of the month for March. Congratulations Gabrielle!

MCC-Longview March employee of the month

Please join me in congratulating Debi Callahan, Academic Advisor , as March Employee of the Month.

Here is what people have been saying about Debi:

“Debi has been instrumental in improving services to students through support of instructional services.”

“Debi volunteers to head a team that calls students in courses that are cancelled in order to re-enroll them on the phone.”

“Debi participated in outreach activity in Belton, to provide information to the community regarding courses and programs at MCC.”

“Debi was chosen to advise students who qualified for FEC training in GIS.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Debi, on a job well done!

Irvin Brooks selected as MCC-Penn Valley employee of month

Congratulations to Irvin Brooks who was recently selected as employee of the month for February at MCC-Penn Valley. Irvin, who works in the media department, was nominated for the honor by Sam Shiel in the business office.

"Irvin is a godsend with the Staff Recognition committee. Any time we need anything he will somehow manifest it with a happy smile and grace," Sam writes.

Sam also mentioned Irvin's dedication and attention to detail. "It is truly a blessing having him on the Staff Recognition committee. As another member of our committee says Irvin is the social lubricant for our campus."

MCC-Maple Woods March Employee of the Month: Tiffany Chapman

Tiffany Chapman, student services technician in the Admissions & Records office, has been chosen as MCC-Maple Woods' March Employee of the Month. Tiffany served as Staff Association president and gave 110% to make sure that the staff was kept in the loop about changes and governance issues happening at MCC and Maple Woods. She was also the driving force behind starting MCC-Maple Woods' Employee of the Month program in August 2010.

Loan defaults? Not on her watch!

Dena Norris has a challenging job, but she does it with patience and with compassion. That’s why she’s been chosen as the Administrative Center employee of the month for February.

Dena, nominated by a colleague because of her warm and persistent commitment to serving students in need, holds an important position on the MCC financial aid team. As the program coordinator for default prevention, she works to keep students in good financial standing with their lenders and to keep MCC in good standing with the U.S. Department of Education. In other words, she helps students avoid defaulting on their loans which helps the district to maintain a low default rate.

In her direct work with students, Dena (pronounced Day-na) contacts students whose loan payments are past due to encourage them to set up payment arrangements or to let them know what options are available. More proactively, she also contacts students who are at risk of defaulting to help them get back on track with payments.

This financial literacy component is what Dena says she enjoys most about her job. When she counsels a student on how to avoid damaging their personal

MCC-Longview employee of the month

Congratulations to Sandy Findley, MCC-Longview Library Specialist, as February's employee of the month.

Here is what her co-workers are saying about her:

“When we had the flood Sandy was the first to offer help”

“Sandy is always smiling and gives great customer service to our students”

“Sandy is always willing to offer help to cover shifts when needed”

CONGRATULATIONS, Sandy, on a job well done!

Carpenter connects with students, creates opportunities

Dianna Carpenter may not be quick to accept praise for a job well done, but when you ask her what she likes best about working at MCC, she's got a fast and enthusiastic answer.

"I love making a difference in a student's life," she says. "Creating opportunities for students by helping them get on track with their financing for college - that's why I'm here."

Carpenter, an account collections specialist in student payment services, is the Administrative Center's employee of the month for January. Now beginning her eighth year at MCC, she works with students who have defaulted - or are at risk of defaulting - on their financial aid, loans or payment plans. She finds satisfaction in helping students understand their options and providing guidance to get them back on track with their finances so they can continue attending MCC.

Though Carpenter has been working in education for 17 years, her current role is a lot different from her previous job, where she worked one-on-one with special needs students in the Lee's Summit School District.

"I sometimes miss having that kind of direct contact with students, but in my role at MCC I do still get to connect with students and offer them the resources they need to succeed," says Carpenter. "I have a passion for education and I think customer service is really important in my role and throughout the college."

That commitment to student success and satisfaction is evident to her peers.

"She is always willing to help, whether it is a co-worker or a student," said a colleague who nominated her for the employee of the month award. "She always has a smile and a positive outlook and she will go the extra mile it sometimes takes to resolve a problem. MCC is lucky to have an employee like her!"

The Employee of the Month for January is Sarita Smith in Financial Aid. Sarita is always friendly and patient, no matter how busy or stressful things are. She always wears a smile and is a glowing example of customer service.

Sarita is very thorough when explaining things to students. She delivers critical information to a growing number of students seeking financial aid and in a way that educates, informs and calms. She is also a spark of enthusiasm! She was a major part of the Financial Aid Office’s Champion Door Decoration for this year’s Homecoming. She is a great example of the Maple Woods’ reputation of kind, caring employees.