Staff Stars

March 2026 Staff Stars

Winners: Amanda Rubino, Ashley Gonzales, Cori Safford, Diana Barker, Suzzanne George

• Abid Safi, Specialist - Registration
  Abid is a tremendous support to the Graduation Office. He is innovative, thoughtful, and always acts with patience and kindness. He cares about the SLCC community and does a great job answering questions thoroughly, finding solutions to problems, and making sure everyone feels valued.
• *Amanda Rubino, Administrative Assistant - Office of Learning Advancement
  Amanda is amazing, a strong Valuable contributor to OLA and SLCC. She makes people feel heard and seen, and she is organized with people skills. This contributes to her ability to help lead a big event like UP3RC, taking feedback to improve the processes. She is back in school which will make her a better administrator. Go Amanda!
• *Ashley Gonzales, Technician - Parking Services
  I nominate Ashley Gonzales for Staff Star. Ashely brings a commitment to service, collaboration, and represents the voices of students, faculty and staff. She has a well-rounded understanding of campus operations. She connects with people, communicates clearly, takes initiative and is open to new opportunities. Her perspective adds meaningful insight to the student & employee experience here at SLCC.
• Becky Rogers, Assistant Director - Concurrent Enrollment
  Becky has managed a complex web of relationships between the CE program, the college as a whole, USHE, and school districts with productive joy. She responds to our questions and concerns, provides accurate and direct feedback, resolves issues, and lightens our load. Becky's productive work to draw people together and to help them solve their problems is a key part of what enables SLCC to serve 13,000+ CE students.
• *Cori Safford, Program Associate II - Provost of Academic Affairs
  Cori creates a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for everyone who walks into the Provost's Office. Whoever she greets she brings kindness, professionalism, and positivity, and this sets the tone for all who come in since she is often the first point of contact. Her reliability, warmth, and commitment to making others' days a little easier enhance the SLCC experience.
• *DaSheek Awkenye, Senior Director - CTR for Health & Counseling
  DaSheek is an exceptional leader. He leads first and foremost with care and empathy for every employee at the CHC. He has improved how our team communicated, acknowledges every employee's accomplishment, and places full trust in the assistant directors. He is always responsive and kind, and I cannot say enough good things about DaSheek.
• *Diana Barker, Coordinator - Testing Services
  After the flood clean-up and repairs done Diana helped in getting my office put back together; re-installing my computer, monitors, all my electronics, organizing cords, making sure everything worked and was not damaged in the flood. She made my office space better than my pre-flood office. I really appreciate all she did! Thank you, Diana!
• Dorisela Leon-Perez, Specialist III - Thayne Center
  Dorisela took on a new role in the Thayne Center. She has improved the Campus Groups platform into an accessible website. She has also created onboarding training. This process has improved student experience involvement. This has prepared us for the launch of the Campus Groups app. We're thankful for Dorisela and how she is continuing to grow Campus Groups.
• Elissa Demartin, Administrative Assistant - English
  Elissa is an amazing colleague. She is always friendly and works hard to help ensure the work of our large and active department runs smoothly. She is never upset when you ask for help and always does her best to find the answers you need quickly. Our department would not run as well as it does without her great dedication and thoughtful work. We are so lucky to have her!
• Jen Hughes, Program Manager - Risk Management
  Jen has patiently and graciously shepherded me through the college's five-year policy review process. For nearly the past year, she has responded promptly to my questions, reached out with updates, and offered her support to add clarity to the review process. I am so grateful she's been willing to help me work through this process!
• Jonathan Hair, Assistant Director - Budget Office
  Jonathan is detail-oriented and ensures that every question is fully answered and everyone feels supported. Jonathan approaches work with honesty, pragmatism, and a commitment to finding solutions. He works to resolve budget issues and helps other departments as well. His dedication to doing things right makes him an invaluable partner in making a more supportive working environment at SLCC.
• Josh Sylvester, Associate VP for Facilities – Facilities Services
  We want to thank you for your support. This period has been the most challenging time in our professional careers, and you have made a difference for us all. You show up for this team with empathy, courage, and respect, fostering an environment where people felt protected, and your calm way of communicating creates a safe space. Thank you for having the courage to always do the right thing! Cheers to the best AVP ever!
• Kelli Page, Technician II - Facilities Services
  Kelli does an exceptional job supporting the POST cadets, coordinating funding with their government sponsors, and collaborating with other SLCC departments to ensure a seamless training experience. She consistently gives her full effort to provide outstanding service to both our clients and her teammates. I'm truly grateful to work alongside her!
• Leslie Moseley, Coordinator - Cashiering
  Leslie is an incredibly thorough, smart, and capable employee, with an eye for detail and a real talent for clarity in communication. Every SLCC student who receives their financial aid refund on time and in the correct amount has Leslie's accurate hard work to thank.
• Lisa Bradshaw, Specialist - Accounts Payable
  I would like to recognize Lisa for her exceptional support. She is patient and helpful any time I call, and I appreciate that. I was working on some travel arrangements and got stuck Lisa came to my office so she could explain it to me in person. That's going above and beyond in my book. She was able to help me, and I got my travel arrangement completed. Thanks Lisa
• Martha Jara, Custodian - Facilities Services
  Martha is one of the hardest working people I've ever met. She is always wearing a smile and greets me when she sees me. She has gone above and beyond the requirements of her job to help me clean up messes. She is an amazing person, and an example of how wand what both friendliness and work-ethic should be. She is a kind, caring person, and it is a pleasure that she is part of our SLCC team.
• Matthew Brooks, Worker II - Public Safety
  Matthew is an invaluable asset to the college and Public Safety team. He inspects each building to ensure it is secure and if he identifies an issue he resolves it. He supports the Key Office by after-hours callouts and securing doors himself during the night. We are truly grateful for Matthew's dedication, and we rest easier knowing he is on the watch.
• Shamaine Gulbransen, Custodian – Facilities Services
  Shamaine has only been here for a few months but has done beyond a wonderful job. Always there if you need a smile, pep talk, anything at all (I am pretty sure she would give you the shirt off her back). She is the hardest, most thorough, and courteous worker I have ever met. I am so glad she is part of our SLCC team!
• Shanalee Sadler, Advisor - Accessibility & Disability Services
  Shanalee is an outstanding collaborator. Recently, she has collaborated with and engaged with the Office of Student Success where she supported addressing student flag closings, the Thayne Center where she served as a Spring Break Alternative site leader, and in the Utah NASPA Logistics Committee for this year's NASPA conference taking place here at SLCC. I admire her hard work and how effortlessly she supports her peers and colleagues.
• Shannon McWilliams, Senior Director - Planning and Implementation
  Shannon is a wonderful leader, mentor, and support. She advocates for students and the community. Thank you, Shannon!
• *Suzzanne George, Interim Director - Institutional Effectiveness
  Suzzanne makes the office welcoming and fun. She greets everyone and gets to know you. She worked hard to make SLCC360 work efficiently collaborating with hundreds of people throughout SLCC. She boosts morale inside her department by gifts or spending time together for lunch. Suzzanne is fantastic person, and I love all the hard work she puts in and into her coworkers as well.
• Trina M. Frandsen, Food Services Supervisor - Controller's Office
  Trina is very helpful; she always goes out of her way to help and accommodate us. She is very friendly. She is a very hard worker. She loves her work at the college. Always shows up at her position on time and in fact always earlier than she is required. and more....
• Tom Thompson, Network Engineer - Information Technology
  He stayed and helped get our devices online for our group even though his task was done. Tom made sure all the answers were found before the network change was completed.