By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
Like many organizations, Cochise College recognizes employees for work well done. The specific programs that are in place are the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award and the Achieved Classified Excellence (ACE) Award. The first is connected with the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin, which holds an annual conference for those selected by their institutions to attend. The second is the result of a united effort of the college’s classified personnel, who not only wished to recognize each other, but who also have raised money providing long-term support for scholarships for full- and part-time Cochise students.
Employees are nominated for both recognitions by their peers. Though worded differently, the criteria are similar: service to students, their departments, the college and the community.
Cochise College’s NISOD awardee is Barbara Richardson, director of the Benson and Willcox centers. Richardson, who formerly oversaw only the Benson Center, recently took on the opportunities and challenges of overseeing two locations. In Willcox she replicated the college’s outreach efforts to bring people to the college. Barbara collaborates with other Extended Learning departments to provide relevant services in rural communities, including dual- and reverse-credit programs for high school students, non-credit workshops and lectures, and Adult Education programming. Barbara also spent two years on the college’s committee for accreditation, which successfully obtained the maximum 10-year accreditation, and chairing the instructional management group. Of utmost importance, she assists students by ensuring course offerings that lead to completion, serving as an academic advisor and financial aid consultant and liaison, and advocating for self-reliance and accountability.
“Barbara’s dedication is demonstrated through her consistent leadership style and supportive spirit,” says Center for Lifelong Learning Director Sharon Gilman, who nominated her. “The director of the Benson and Willcox centers must serve the community in order to be an effective leadership, and Barbara’s work as a director at a center location makes her input and experiences valuable to the overall discussion on the college’s strategic vision.”
ACE awardees Janet Cramer, Edna Elias, Laura Lengel and Martha Skinner were selected for their work as team members, interactions with students, leadership and initiative, committee participation, mentorship and work on special college projects. All set a positive example for other employees.
Cramer, the division assistant for Facilities Maintenance, has served on the Cochise College Think Tank and the Employee Relations Committee, volunteered with Pharm(acy) Camp, organized food drives and kept Classified Association committees on task. She is a “go to” person who does not know the meaning of the word “no” or the phrase “I can’t help you with that.”
Elias juggles dual roles as assistant for Facilities Maintenance and Liberal Arts at the Douglas Campus. While she supports college efforts, she also has been active off campus with Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op, Douglas Art Association, and Relay for Life.
As the switchboard operator, Lengel is often the first contact for callers to Cochise College. Lengel, who has also been a student, volunteered as an ambassador for the college Wellness Program and is her facility’s building coordinator for safety and fire protection. She is an idea person who also has been active with the association.
Skinner, administrative assistant for the dean of Student Services and the registrar, is a long-term employee who has volunteered in too many capacities to list. She is currently a financial aid mentor to students. She has also lent a hand in support of athletics, the Wellness Program, the Meet Your Major recruiting event, the True Colors and Dress for Success workshops, United Way, and with various Classified Association fundraising efforts.
On behalf of the college, we thank these employees for their sincere efforts to make Cochise College a place where student dreams are possible.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.