Colorado PERA-Sponsored Event Honors Community College System Employees

The second annual Commitment Excellence Awards ceremony celebrated 54 employees from across the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) for their contributions to the overall success of their college, students, and communities.

“The commitment of these individuals to our community college system is unwavering and impressive, said Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System chancellor. “Without dedication of this magnitude, our collective pledge to provide high quality education for all Coloradans would be an unmeetable challenge. We are grateful for their dedication and commitment to providing high quality education environments for students across the state.”

The event, hosted at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion, was made possible through sponsorship from the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (Colorado PERA). Colorado PERA has partnered with CCCS to highlight the vital role Colorado’s community colleges and their employees play in the state, and continues its support of the Foundation for the fourth year in a row.

“We are thrilled to support the recognition of these deserving honorees who exemplify excellence and service throughout the state,” said Laura Morsch-Babu, Colorado PERA director of communications. “Hearing each of their stories and passions that motivate them in their role was inspiring.”

The 2020 Excellence Awards cohort consists of staff members from across Colorado’s community colleges who demonstrate a wide range of skills and passions. The awardees provide mentorship and career coaching to students, volunteer with campus and community organizations, and model professionalism, strong work ethic, and a passionate commitment to community service.

“Working a community college is a true calling, and today’s awards recognize that passion and drive that each of us has,” said Joan Anderssen, professor at Arapahoe Community College, who received the Jerome Wartow Teaching with Technology Award. “All of us make it our priority to provide students with a great education and the tools they need to be successful beyond the classroom. It’s an honor to be recognized and to celebrate my colleagues who are committed to that mission across Colorado.”

Many of the honorees are also advocates, leading innovative partnerships with businesses and other universities that contribute to increasing access and affordability of higher education and a healthy workforce pipeline in Colorado.

“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside so many of my peers and colleagues who are doing great work on behalf of our students statewide,” said Brittany Dudek, library coordinator of Colorado Community Colleges Online, who was honored as the Administrator of the year for the CCCS Office for her leadership in digital, open education resources and zero-cost textbook courses.

View the event program and all of the honorees below