As our college nurse, she consistently goes above and beyond for both her department and the students on campus. Laura is a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional who approaches every student interaction with empathy, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and cared for.
She is an invaluable resource to our campus, providing not only medical care but also education and advocacy for student health and wellness. Laura is proactive in addressing student needs, whether by coordinating services, developing health initiatives, or simply being a reassuring presence for those in distress. She works tirelessly to support her colleagues, fostering a collaborative and positive environment within the department.
Her commitment to student success extends beyond the clinic—she actively engages in campus-wide efforts to promote well-being, ensuring that students have the resources they need to thrive. Laura’s dedication, kindness, and unwavering support make a lasting impact on our campus community, and she is truly deserving of this recognition.
Dr. Luke is an inspiration to work with. His dedication to both his students and his team is truly remarkable. Dr. Luke continues to be a mentor and all-around kind, intelligent co-worker. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with Dr. Luke.
Marie repeatedly goes above and beyond for the SBVC Votes Task Force. We give her ideas, and she makes them happen! She is amazing at her job.
In five words: Gabriel is a data genius. Gabriel's work is nothing short of transformative. He has streamlined processes at Valley to make what we do more efficient and more effective through innovative solutions. For instance, Gabriel has worked out a system using his programming background to accurately automate the tracking of Full Time Equivalent Students (FTES). He has significantly improved how we manage and interpret critical institutional data. Gabriel has also taken the initiative to master complex financial and enrollment metrics, such as the student-centered funding formula (SCFF) and fiscal calendars. His deep understanding of these metrics is invaluable, preventing us from floundering and ensuring we remain data-informed in our decision-making.
But Gabriel's innovative impact goes beyond his technical skills. Gabriel is innovative in the way that he asks critical research questions that shape our institutional strategies. For instance, he recently conducted a study looking at waitlisted students to see what happens to them, finding that many of them are not successfully enrolled. As a plus, he used really cool, innovative charts to demonstrate this. However, it's not just about the data piece- Gabriel holds discussions to address what the data says, ensuring that we turn data into action. Gabriel's innovative thinking has made tangible differences at Valley, and for that, I wholeheartedly nominate Gabriel for Innovator of the Year!
As our college nurse, she consistently goes above and beyond for both her department and the students on campus. Laura is a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional who approaches every student interaction with empathy, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and cared for.
She is an invaluable resource to our campus, providing not only medical care but also education and advocacy for student health and wellness. Laura is proactive in addressing student needs, whether by coordinating services, developing health initiatives, or simply being a reassuring presence for those in distress. She works tirelessly to support her colleagues, fostering a collaborative and positive environment within the department.
Her commitment to student success extends beyond the clinic—she actively engages in campus-wide efforts to promote well-being, ensuring that students have the resources they need to thrive. Laura’s dedication, kindness, and unwavering support make a lasting impact on our campus community, and she is truly deserving of this recognition.
Tanya always goes above and beyond to make every experience a great one. She serves her customers with a great attitude and always has a smile on her face. She makes every interaction a personal one and always puts her customers first.
Matthew consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and responsiveness, always going above and beyond to assist his colleagues across campus. His enthusiasm for supporting others is evident in the proactive and timely manner in which he addresses challenges, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Whether troubleshooting urgent issues, providing guidance, or streamlining processes, Matthew’s contributions directly enhance the success of numerous departments. His collaborative spirit, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to the SBVC team
I'm honored to nominate Marie for the Outstanding Service Award due to her dedication to students and colleagues. As an integral part of Student Life, Marie has consistently gone above and beyond to enhance student experiences over her last five years here at Valley. For example, she works tirelessly with student clubs to ensure that they are supported. Her leadership in the SBVC Votes initiative was essential in increasing student voter engagement and empowering students to participate in the electoral process. These events have really improved student life, and she is always supportive of her student workers.
Beyond her direct work with students, Marie is also an advocate for her colleagues. As the Creative Director of the API Association, Marie cultivates an inclusive and engaging community, using her creativity to foster cultural connection on campus, such as with the AMAZING work she did last year with API History Month. Plus, you all know THE shirts. They're stunning, and that was all Marie. Additionally, through the Participatory Governance Task Force, she represents classified professionals, working to ensure those voices are heard in institutional decision-making processes, and she represents classified professionals at the district level in the SBCCD HR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee. And why are we at the max character limit now? Because Marie does A LOT for both her students and colleagues.
Maria is an outstanding reference librarian whose dedication to student success goes beyond the library’s walls. I’ve seen in-person how she provides exceptional research support, helping students navigate databases, refine search strategies, and develop confidence in their academic work. Her ability to make research approachable ensures that students of all backgrounds feel supported. I’ve seen firsthand how she’s impacted students' lives and educational endeavors.
Beyond one-on-one assistance, she actively collaborates with faculty to integrate library instruction into courses and participates in campus outreach events, bringing library services directly to students. Her commitment to accessibility, engagement, and student learning makes her an invaluable resource to our college community.
I enthusiastically nominate Debbie for the Outstanding Service Award. She exceeds her counseling duties by utilizing Spanish to communicate with parents and students, ensuring equitable access to information. She extends her support by visiting high schools, taking on overload to support students in the evenings and during Peak registration, and managing our counseling Instagram account. She contributes to the AB 928 taskforce by working on Starfish education plan drafts and providing input on catalog rights and CalGETC implementation.
Debbie presented at last year's Counselor Conclave conference and continues to represent us annually in her CTE Liaison role. During our Annual Grad Fest event, she remained late to ensure every student received assistance and helped with cleanup—demonstrating her commitment extends beyond scheduled hours. Her dedication extends to committee work on Scholastic Standards and as a Student Services Senator in Academic Senate. These roles show her commitment to academic excellence and advocating for student needs.
As a SBCCD Region 9 mentor, Debbie guides graduates in their master's program in counseling, increasing our diverse faculty applicant pool and creating an inclusive environment for students. Colleagues identify her office as a "go-to" safe space, reflecting the trust she has earned. Debbie's exceptional service, bilingual outreach, committee participation, and compassionate presence make her ideal for this award.
I am pleased to nominate Professor Shepard for the Outstanding Faculty Award. As a part-time faculty member, she consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her work. Professor Shepard is always willing to offer extra support to students, taking the time to understand their individual situations and providing guidance to help them succeed. Her dedication to student success is evident in the thoughtful accommodations and encouragement she offers, ensuring each student feels valued and supported. Additionally, she actively engages with her colleagues and contributes positively to the academic community. Professor Shepard’s commitment to excellence and her genuine care for students make her an invaluable member of our faculty.
Dr. Smith-Morton has demonstrated an unparalleled passion for education as her primary role in counseling. She mentors students and inspires them to be both “Active and Creative!” Her tireless efforts have not only transformed individual lives but have also strengthened our collective mission.
I am pleased to nominate Teresa Weaver for the Outstanding Faculty Award. She consistently demonstrates a kind and supportive demeanor, always being approachable and respectful to students, creating a welcoming and positive learning environment. Beyond student interactions, Prof. Weaver is always willing to assist other faculty members, even those in different departments, by offering guidance, sharing resources, and providing valuable insights. She is also dedicated to orienting new employees, offering mentorship and support to help them navigate the campus environment. Prof. Weaver is an exceptional asset to our academic community, and her contributions have had a lasting, positive impact on both students and faculty.
I am honored to nominate Dean Lorrie Burnham for the Manager of the Year Award. Dean Burnham consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of her responsibilities and leads with a clear sense of purpose and integrity. She always stands by the rules and ensures that the department operates smoothly and fairly. Her commitment to going above and beyond is evident as she takes the time to understand and address the concerns of her fellow employees, offering thoughtful solutions and being ready to work on fixing the problems and preventing them from happening again. Dean Burnham maintains the highest level of professionalism in all situations and is unafraid to offer constructive feedback when needed to ensure that the team is aligned and working efficiently. As faculty, we feel supported to bring out any ideas and concerns, and we can work without being retaliated for raising our concerns. Her leadership, dedication, and unwavering support make her an invaluable asset to the institution.
Dr. Ray Carlos is an exemplary leader whose student-centered approach, dedication to staff support, and commitment to innovation make him a deserving recipient of the Manager of the Year award. As Dean of Student Engagement and Wellness, he oversees the Office of Student Life, Student Health Services, and Athletics with a clear focus on enhancing the student experience and fostering a campus environment where students can thrive.
Dr. Carlos is deeply passionate about student success, continuously developing creative and innovative initiatives that promote engagement, well-being, and a sense of belonging. His leadership ensures that student services remain responsive to evolving needs, always prioritizing student growth and support.
Beyond his impact on students, Dr. Carlos is an unwavering advocate for his teams. He fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, ensuring that staff feel valued and empowered. He actively encourages career and educational growth, providing opportunities for professional development and mentorship that allow his team to advance in their careers. His ability to uplift and invest in those around him makes a profound difference in the lives of both students and staff.
Through his vision, dedication, and persistence, Dr. Carlos has made a lasting impact on our campus. His student-centered leadership, commitment to staff development, and innovative spirit truly set him apart as an outstanding manager and leader.
Always makes time for classified staff, keeps the campus technology current, and is an exceptional manager who supports his staff and helps support the campus as a whole. With the help of his team, he put together the technology for the new career building so they could start in Spring.
Michele has always gone the extra mile for those that she is helping. She always has an answer to any problem you may have. Michele is the glue to our department.
Dean Yolanda is a great role model for the Nursing profession. While at Valley, she was a faculty member teaching Med-sur, and then she became the Dean for the nursing department, bringing our profession and nursing program to the next level. She introduced the simulation program to our students. Fixing all the old equipment first, then hiring a simulation manager and bringing new equipment simulations for our program. She makes sure instructors attend professional development to be up-to-date with new technology for our students' success. She hired teachers who were qualified and wanted to serve our student populations.