The Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Service 2007

Leadership, Quality Service, Process Improvement, Community Outreach/Volunteer

 

Michael Neis, Beth Hafner, Gary Duffey, Jane Haugland, Michael Knock, Johnna Forbes,
Dr. Pat Keir, Mary Dierksen, Khetasha Jackson

 

In the area of Leadership: The nominee has demonstrated recognizable and successful outcomes as a result of actions which have facilitated the institution's mission, values, goals and direction by encouraging and supporting high performance by: 1) contributing to the development and success of students; 2) focusing on the future, while promoting risk taking and innovation; and/or 3) supporting teamwork, which enhances organizational success.

Johnna Forbes
MIS and Employment Counselor
Iowa Workforce Development at Muscatine
Johnna wears several hats for Iow@Work and in doing so has always displayed a work ethic that is exceptional. She is the Eastern Iowa Community College's Region 9 Iow@Work information specialist and is relied on to keep up on technology and make sure we meet all of our data entry, reporting and performance requirements. Johnna is a part of the Muscatine Iow@Work team working with both Iow@Work staff and Iowa Workforce Development staff in the Muscatine One-Stop. She is also an employment counselor for the Dislocated Worker Program. As funding cuts have taken place, she willingly added counselor duties to her job description, performing those duties with the same excellence she has in all of her assignments.

Her nominator says "She is a joy and pleasure to work with. We know we can always count on her as a professional and know that she will represent us well in anything she does."

Beth Hafner
English/Journalism Instructor
Clinton Community College
In the nine years she has been working in the Department of Communication, Beth has served as advisor to the Journalism Club, which publishes The Gallery newspaper eight times throughout the academic year.

In April, Clinton Community College celebrates Community College Month. Beth led the team of students to create a special insert of The Gallery, which was included in the Clinton Herald newspaper. That edition of CCC's monthly newspaper was an excellent overview of Community College Month activities in addition to standard news items. Beth also leads the effort to bring high school students into the college. With that in mind, she has been instrumental in organizing and implementing Communication Arts Day at CCC.

Nominators say that, "through her leadership, Beth Hafner represents our district's commitment to excellence as she responds to the needs of her individual students, the greater student body, the community, and the district."

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In the area of Quality Service: The nominees have demonstrated recognizable and successful outcomes as a result of actions which have delivered quality service to our students and stakeholders, and made their experience as positive and successful as possible by: 1) defining requirements, needs and expectations; 2) providing personalized services that exceed expectations; and/or 3) developing innovative programs, offerings and services, which create an environment conducive to learning and student success.

Mary Dierksen, Gary Duffey, Michael Neis and Khetasha Jackson
Custodial Services
Clinton Community College
Clinton's evening facilities staff is comprised of four, hard-working and dedicated staff. Last summer, during an HVAC renovation, they were responsible for completely moving departments from their areas - where the employees have their comfort level - to a totally different area of the college and make sure they have what they need to do their jobs while maintaining a comfort level for them. This meant moving furniture, file cabinets, working materials for each individual, as well as assisting our computer techs with moving computers and printers. THEN, when the contractors had completed their work, our facilities staff went in and cleaned, dealing with debris from the construction materials, dirt and plaster from the ceilings and walls, soiled carpeting and dirty walls. When this extensive cleaning was completed, they, in turn, moved all of the furniture, file cabinets and working materials back to the employee's 'home base'. Other moves included; the entire front office, The President and Dean's Offices and the Foundation Office. Also, imagine moving a library so that students could still have access to needed materials to complete their summer classes, as well as the public who use thelibrary and its services throughout the day and evening, closing down an auditorium/cafeteria, and moving a number of classrooms as well.

It is noted by their supporters that, "Clinton's evening facilities staff impacts every part of the college. It is their work that allows us to be prepared for our work with our students."

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In the area of Process Improvement: The nominee has demonstrated recognizable and successful outcomes as a result of actions which have improved the institution's processes and systems by individual and team efforts in: 1) defining existing processes and gathering information from students and stakeholders in order to identify opportunities for improvement; 2) eliminating common mistakes, reducing the length of time involved in a process and eliminating waste, 3) promoting new ways to gather and use information to enhance decision making; and/or 4) creating new courses, programs and/or services which help to achieve organizational success and sustainability.

Jane Haugland
District Financial Aid Officer
Scott Community College
Jane Haugland began her career at EICC as the District Financial Aid Officer in August 2000 and has continually provided leadership for the three financial aid offices and EICC as well as for several EICC teams. The Financial Aid Process Improvement team had members from financial aid, the business office, and deans of students with all 3 campuses and district office represented. By leading the team, processes were mapped, and improvements were made by analyzing the flow charts. The most notable process improvement resulted in a cooperative way between offices to track financial aid monies required to be returned to the federal government. Another team she provided leadership and guidance to was the Default Management Team. This team was developed to look at our district student loan default rate and how to lower it. With Jane's guidance, data was gathered, and ultimately, a Default Management Plan was developed. Jane submitted outside grant proposals and was successful in obtaining funding to hire a part-time default management specialist for two years. As District Financial Aid Officer, she assures that policies and procedures are consistent between the three campuses and are meeting federal regulations.

To quote from her nomination materials, "She is able to motivate staff using encouragement within a supportive atmosphere. She seeks input from all staff members and uses consensus building for decisions."

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In the area of Community Outreach/Volunteer Service on Behalf of the Community College: The nominee has demonstrated recognizable and successful outcomes as a result of actions which have improved the success of the institution by: 1) promoting and developing positive relationships within the community; 2) demonstrating a history of volunteer service and leadership within the community; 3) partnering with the community to promote the community college mission; and/or 4) utilizing the talents and expertise located within the community to the benefit of the community college mission.

Michael Knock
English/Journalism Instructor
Muscatine Community College
Michael Knock is a prime example of a faculty member who demonstrates recognizable and successful outcomes as a result of actions which have delivered quality service to our students. During the past five years as journalism instructor and adviser of the student newspaper, the Calumet, he has built an editorial staff or "team" of students that has produced a quality newspaper each year. It was also his innovative decision to publish a summer issue of the Calumet. Michael submitted a grant proposal to the MJC/MCC alumni association and was approved to cover student stipends and costs associated with producing a summer edition. He has continued that project every summer since then and drives down from Iowa City to accomplish it. As it states on one of Michael's recommendations, "Students who are part of the team will be exposed to many styles and learning opportunities, because Michael wants them prepared to successfully enter the job market or transfer to a four year college."

Finally, last fall he went "above and beyond" for the annual Taste of Education sponsored by the MJC/MCC Alumni Association which highlights area meteorologists as celebrity chefs. On one of his free afternoons, Michael traveled to the Quad Cities to interview and get photo shoots of Andy McCray, WHBF, and Neil Kastor, WQAD.

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