Honey Bedell - Assistant to the Chancellor
(District Office) 
 
Honey Bedell embodies enthusiasm, leadership and team spirit. These attributes are essential in the busy Chancellor's Office, but they are also put to use in other areas of the District. For example, she recently was asked to help coordinate the final phases of production for a seven-module CD on environmental decisionmaking at SCC's ATEEC (Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center). A high-profile grant partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, its timely completion was critical.

"Jumping into a project mid-stream, with the task of editing other's materials can be a precarious position. Honey handled it with finesse," writes a supporter. "Her professionalism, dedication, political astuteness and excellent communication and organizational skills soon led to a leadership position in the team."
 
This summer Honey and a 10-member planning committee played host to more than 200 Iowa community college trustees and guests at the annual IACCT (Iowa Association of Community College Trustees) conference. The conference presented one of Honey's biggest professional and organizational challenges to date, but she met the challenge with her usual vigor, and the conference turned out to be among record setters for attendance. The committee received many compliments from the attendees for the quality of the program and the special touches that made everyone feel so welcome.
 
As assistant to the chancellor, Honey serves as EICCD board secretary and liaison with local service groups, and regional and national community college trustee organizations. A highly visible member of the EICCD, Honey is an outstanding representative. One board member comments, "Honey performs a multitude of duties with a high degree of professionalism?(she) manages to squeeze in other projects as designated by Chancellor Blong and balance this with her home projects of (four-year-old sons) Connor and Ian! What a super person!"

Shelly Cram Rahlf - Academic Advisor
(Muscatine Community College) 
 
"Going the extra mile" was a recurring phrase in the nomination letters for Shelly Cram Rahlf. Her energy and enthusiasm, combined with her love of a good challenge, make Shelly one of the District's rising stars.

Since joining EICCD as an academic advisor at Scott in 1995 and moving to MCC in 1998, Shelly has been a tremendous resource for students. No matter where she encounters students - whether it be in her office, at the grocery store or on her home telephone - she is always willing to answer questions and solve problems. "Shelly is always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done and best serve our students," writes an advising colleague. "No question is inconsequential, no matter too large a challenge for her to assist them."
 
Last year, Shelly took a struggling intramurals program at MCC and turned it into a strong, popular program on campus. She facilitates a team of students who meet regularly to plan programming, and as a result of her efforts, the number of student activities on campus has tripled in the last two years. She created a monthly campus calendar, "The Porcelain Press," to inform students and staff about activities and events. Shelly also worked with MCC's admissions coordinator and videographer to create a dynamic new student orientation video that is also used for new staff and faculty.
 
"Because of Shelly's interest, enthusiasm and leadership, campus activities at MCC have been strengthened and supported, and Shelly does this in addition to her regular job responsibilities!" notes one administrator. All of these activities "exhibit her willingness to go above and beyond what is required in order to improve the lives of students on campus."

Lorrie Hickey - Secretary I, Adult and Community Education
(Clinton Community College) 
 
"Dependable" and "willing" are two words colleagues use to describe Lorrie Hickey. Her competence, commitment to the college and interest in learning new skills make her an outstanding employee.

Lorrie has had a number of roles in her 24 years at Clinton Community College. She began as support staff for the adult basic education department and added continuing education a few years later. When the media support coordinator moved to a faculty position two years ago, Lorrie learned how to service overhead projectors, downlink satellite programs and record them on two separate VCRs, operate computer-based AV carts and set up the sound system in the auditorium. She created an online "AV Request Form" to provide easier and more organized access to the college's AV equipment.
 
An added bonus to this process is that it provides excellent data to the college's technology committee as they make decisions regarding the installation of "tech rooms."
 
"With each addition to her responsibilities, Lorrie embraced the challenge to learn something new and worked very hard to meet the needs of the department," writes a colleague. "She knows her job well and is always willing to do what she can to help."
 
Lorrie is a long-time volunteer with CCC's B-rrry Scurry race and has extended that commitment to the newer B-rrry Bear B-rramble children's race. She participates in planning many of CCC's special events and serves on a number of college committees.
 
"With each event held on the CCC campus, Lorrie is willing to do her part to make it successful," writes a co-worker. "Whether it is B-rrry Scurry, community education conferences or the daily AV cart requests, Lorrie brings a positive attitude to the project." 

 
David Krein - Social Sciences Department Coordinator/Instructor
(Scott Community College) 
 
Dr. David Krein is an institution at Scott Community College. From the moment he walked on campus almost 25 years ago, his vision, leadership and commitment to excellence have helped build a solid foundation for SCC's arts and sciences division.

Dave was part of the planning committee that merged SCC and Palmer Junior College in 1979, and he has served as social sciences department coordinator for almost his entire SCC career. "He provided a vision, direction and role model for faculty and administrators alike as we set out to create a college-transfer component to Scott," writes one long-time faculty colleague. "It would be an understatement to say much of our excellence today we owe to him in his role as a department coordinator and as a standard bearer for quality performance in the classroom."
 
Dave's original research laid the groundwork for the SCC Honors Program and he has been deeply involved since its inception six years ago. "His high academic standards and his high expectations have defined the quality of this program, which over the years has benefited so many students, our college and our community," notes a colleague.
 
Students in Dave's Western Civilization classes are treated as adults, with respect and fair expectations, colleagues say. One faculty member describes his classroom as "joyful, in which humor jump starts the human brain into learning." Over the years he has maintained his high standards, keeping current in his field and readily adopting new teaching and learning technologies
 
Summarizing a career's worth of achievements, a fellow faculty member writes that Dave Krein's "seriousness of purpose, his honest and direct way of speaking and his clear-sighted approach to issues and procedures have made us respect and admire his leadership and contributions."

Shirleen Martin - Assistant Director
(Eastern Iowa Job Training) 
 
"A non-stop dynamo" and "short but mighty" are how one of Shirleen Martin's co-workers describes her. It's clear that where Shirleen sees a need, she is passionate about finding a way to meet that need.

As assistant director of the Eastern Iowa Job Training program (formerly JTPA), Shirleen oversees all program operations in Scott County, serves as an advisor for other county supervisors, and staffs the Regional Workforce Investment Board. Her early and innovative implementation of Welfare to Work programs resulted in state and national praise, and her expertise has resulted in invitations to participate in several job training taskforces and workgroups.

In her 22-year job training career, Shirleen has developed success training for teen mothers at area high schools, started apprenticeship programs for women, coordinated flood clean up, secured federal funding for career placement programs for displaced workers, and secured an Americorps volunteer to teach employment skills and tutor students at area high schools.
 
Shirleen is a force for action in the community as well, serving on the City of Davenport's Affirmative Action Board and the boards of United Neighbors and the former Quad Cities Minority Chamber of Commerce. She chaired a local planning committee for Iowa's African-American Women's Conference and was host of a local radio talk show, "Focus on the Black Side."
 
Shirleen is legendary for her ability to communicate with troubled youth. She clearly lets them know she cares, but her forthright method of communicating lets them know she means business. One colleague writes, "There is no putting on airs or pretentiousness with Shirleen Martin. She is who she is and she thinks what she thinks, and if you aren't sure about where you stand or how she is feeling about something, you simply haven't been paying attention."

Lisa Miller - Supervisor of Academic Advising and Testing
(Scott Community College) 
 
Lisa Miller is not only an outstanding employee of Scott Community College; she's also an outstanding graduate who has "done it all" in student services and serves as a role model for current students.

After completing her A.A.S. degree in 1985, Lisa joined the admissions department, then moved to student activities where she became an activities specialist. She returned to admissions as an admissions specialist, then an academic advisor and is now supervisor for advising, testing and the new student center. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the administrative office support program. While working at SCC, she earned an A.A. degree from Scott and a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University. "Lisa is an example of the quality education a student receives at EICCD and also serves as a role model for students who wish to obtain further education," writes a colleague. 
 
Lisa's 20 years of experience have given her a good background in many student services areas, and her knowledge makes her a valuable member of several college and District teams. As part of the District Advising Group, she trained other employees on the DARS software and helped streamline advising and registration for evening and weekend students. She has served on SCC's retention, maintenance and security, and Trailblazer committees, and has provided valuable input as a member of the District transfer advising guide team, AQIP Advising Day task force and District Student Development Council. Perhaps one of her most important contributions in terms of student service is to spearhead the use of Office Tracker, an electronic calendar system that allows students to make all of their student development-related appointments at one time.
 
"When you look at all the committees that Lisa has served on, the various improvements she has made, her administrative and teaching skills, and her role of leadership throughout the District, you can see what a huge impact Lisa has made in the life of our students," writes a co-worker. Another colleague writes, "Lisa is a hidden jewel!"