Lower Columbia Employee of the Year Awards

One of the best traditions we have here at Lower Columbia College (LCC) is to take a little time each spring to recognize the excellent work performed by all of our college employees. Every quarter, a survey is sent out that gives all employees an opportunity to recognize someone that stands out in a certain way. The feedback provided in the surveys assists the recognition committees in selecting four classified and four exempt quarterly award winners throughout the year. This years’ quarterly award recipients were:

• Melissa Falter–Sunshine Summer Quarter winner for continually having a positive attitude

• Linda Garcia–RA! Fall Quarter winner for bringing out the best in her teammates

• Michael Velasquez–Extra Mile Winter Quarter winner for making a difference in the campus community

• Rheannon Van De Voorde–True Blue Spring Quarter winner for being a leader in the campus community

• Brianna Purdy–Sunshine Summer Quarter winner for continually having a positive attitude

• Jamie Nelson–RA! Fall Quarter winner for bringing out the best in his teammates

• Stefanie Gilberti–Extra Mile Winter Quarter winner for making a difference in the campus community

• Gabino Salgado–True Blue Spring Quarter winner for being a leader in the campus community

These award winners become finalists for the Classified and Exempt Employee of the Year Award. This award is based on the following criteria:

1. Goes above and beyond what is required by the job to provide high quality service to the students and community.

2. Has made a positive contribution to a specific department or to the overall college community’s morale.

3. Makes a significant contribution that has enhanced or contributed to the qualities of LCC facilities or equipment.

4. Has significantly contributed to the overall cost effectiveness of college operations.

5. Shows a commitment to the college’s core values, including respect, collaboration and cooperation.

Each year, winners of this award receive a $500 cash award from the LCC Foundation, as well as a reserved parking space for the next academic year. All other nominees receive a $50 cash award. This year, LCC’s Classified Employee of the Year is Melissa Falter. Melissa starting working at LCC in September 2011 and is the food services supervisor. Some comments submitted about Melissa mention how she works tirelessly behind the scenes for Lower Columbia College, handles tasks with grace and optimism, genuinely cares about everyone she comes into contact with, truly is a ray of sunshine, and always has a positive attitude no matter what is thrown her way. Congratulations to Melissa for receiving this honor!

LCC’s Exempt Employee of the Year is Stefanie Gilberti. Stefanie started her employment at LCC in September 2008, and holds the position of dean of instruction. Some comments submitted about Stefanie mention how she is committed to students, faculty, staff, and LCC as a whole, works with integrity and a positive attitude, and is incredibly kind, caring, and hardworking. Congratulations to Stefanie on this well-deserved award!

In addition to the Exempt and Classified Employee of the Year Awards, LCC also recognizes outstanding faculty each spring. This award is student nominated and goes to faculty who support students, both in and out of the classroom. This year’s full time

For more Lower Columbia College, see page 17 faculty award winner is Abbie Leavens. Abbie began working at LCC in January 2016 and is one of LCC’s language and literature faculty. Something of note about Abbie is that she has not yet received tenure at LCC and, until now, it is almost unheard of for an untenured faculty member to be awarded full-time faculty of the year. It is clear that she is making a difference in the lives of students. Congratulations to Abbie. The Adjunct Faculty of the Year winner is PeiPei Wallace. PeiPei started at LCC in April 2015 and is a performing and visual arts instructor. Courses taught by PeiPei have been noted to be a good balance of challenging and also relaxing. The honor is well deserved, congratulations PeiPei.

At LCC, we hire well, and that bodes well for the future of your local community college.

Kelso Public Schools

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent