Classified Employee of the Year
The Classified Employee of the Year Award was established through a resolution at the May 2008 Board of Governors meeting. The Award has been given out annually since May 2009 to honor community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to professionalism and community colleges. Recipients are nominated by members of their college/district community and endorsed by their local Board of Trustees. Award recipients are selected by representatives of the Board of Governors for California Community Colleges, the Chancellor鈥檚 Office, and the Foundation for California Community College and must have a record of outstanding performance of professional activities, as well as a record of active participation on campus and beyond.
Classified Employee of The Year Award Winners
2023
Kemberly (Kem) Quiroz
Classified
Kemberly (Kem) serves as a Student Services Technician at the 萌妹视频 (LBCC) Welcome Center, which serves as a first stop for any new student to our campus. In this role, Kem regularly interfaces with individuals from the general public who want to attend college
Kem鈥檚 approach to the work comes from a genuine place of support with student success in mind. Whether Kem is working the front desk, answering phones, or taking a walk during her break, if she sees a student she can offer support to, the student becomes the priority. Kem routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure service to students.
Beyond providing students with the information they need, Kem is also committed to attending to their basic needs. For example, while the college has a robust Basic Needs Center which she works closely with, she went out of her way to create 鈥渨elcome bags鈥� for housing insecure students who come through the Welcome Center. The bags include a blanket, hygiene products, and some dry food. From her perspective, this bag is designed to provide basic needs to students who may visit the Welcome Center during the hours when the Basic Needs Center may be closed. While it is not a part of Kem鈥檚 job to do this, she is fully invested in providing timely and holistic care and support to students. This is an embodiment of equity in support.
Where Kem really stands apart from others in going the 鈥渆xtra step鈥� is in her generosity toward others. Kem is kind which makes staff feel safe, heard, and supported. She expresses gratitude and appreciation for the work that staff do. She is thoughtful about acknowledging accomplishments, and celebrating special occasions, and is mindful of doing little things that make people feel very important and integral to an operation. Staff enjoy coming to work every day because of the type of environment that she nurtures in the office. Kem has a great gift of building people up and she extends this gift to staff and students.