Shalita Tillman's hard work helping San Bernardino Valley College students gain valuable job skills has been recognized nationally.  
  
Tillman is SBVC's CalWORKs and Workforce Development manager. She has been at Valley College for 20 years, and says her favorite part of the job is being able to "sincerely provide opportunities and resources to students, employees, and community members, no matter what background, culture, ethnicity, or circumstance one has or comes from."  
  
She has served as the Workforce Council Chair for the Inland Empire Job Corps for more than five years, and in this position, she obtains feedback from industry partners, which is then used to "enhance the trade programs at Job Corps." Tillman has also been the Inland Empire Job Corps Work-Based Learning Site supervisor for more than a decade. In this role, Tillman works with Job Corps students enrolled in six-week internships, placing them in on-campus departments that align with their trade.  
  
"As collaborative partners, Job Corps students receive hands-on support and guidance to assist with their educational success," she said.  
  
Partner of the YearThe Inland Empire Job Corps recognized her service in 2015, when she received a Partner of the Year award. Tillman said she was "surprised and honored," and this made her realize that "my efforts and hard work did not go unnoticed."  
  
That was only the beginning of her accolades. In 2018, Tillman received an award from the national level of Job Corps, and she won another local award in 2019. She was celebrated in 2015 and 2019 during a luncheon, and in 2018, Job Corps representatives delivered a plaque, flowers, and balloons to her office.  
  
"I was in disbelief," Tillman said. "I couldn't believe I was being honored for the work I enjoy doing from my heart."  
  
Growing up, Tillman said her parents and grandmother would always remind her, "Do your best and be your best despite your environment. Someone is always watching your good efforts." As her awards show, the Inland Empire Job Corps was watching, and Tillman said receiving these honors "kindled my drive to continue to do my best and be my best. When I can be my best, I can help others on a pathway to be their best."