CCCS Internal April 12, 2022 (Denver, CO) – The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) held its fourth annual Commitment Excellence Awards ceremony today, celebrating 54 employees from across the System for their contributions to the overall success of their college, students, and communities.
“Our community colleges are true engines of opportunity. Each day, our employees power the programs, support services, and learning environments that transform lives for the better—and our mission is more important than ever,” said CCCS chancellor Joe Garcia. “By working together, CCCS faculty, instructors, and staff deliver high-quality education and training to students and top-notch talent to our state. I am proud to recognize all employees across the system and especially those selected as this year’s honorees.”
By working together, CCCS faculty, instructors, and staff deliver high-quality education and training to students and top-notch talent to our state.
“At Colorado PERA, we believe in the power of affordable, accessible education,” said Patrick von Keyserling, Colorado PERA senior director of communications. “From the many stories we heard today, it’s clear that CCCS employees make a lasting impact on their colleges and in their communities. We are honored to take part in this celebration as the event sponsor this year.”
The 2022 Excellence Awards cohort consists of staff members from across Colorado’s 13 community colleges who demonstrate a wide range of skills and passions. The awardees mentor and coach students, foster safe and productive learning environments for students, and model professionalism, strong work ethic, and commitment to community service.
“The last two years of teaching at the Community College of Denver have been the toughest of my career,” said Kelly Lynn-Ford Zepp, an assistant professor of English. “What keeps me going are my incredible colleagues who bust their tails alongside me to serve our students and community each day. I am humbled that my peers have selected me as this year’s Faculty of the Year.”
Many of the honorees are also leaders in equitable teaching, advising, and student support practices. Mike Roderique, CCCS assistant director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), won the System Office’s first DEI Champion Award for his work to facilitate cultural learning opportunities and guide colleges on best practices.
“Our students and their successes are the center of our work, and I am honored to be recognized alongside colleagues with such strong commitments to excellence and education,” he said.
2022 CCCS Commitment Excellence Award Honorees:
| Arapahoe Community College | ||
| Administrator | Javon Brame | Dean of Students |
| Classified | Tia Le | Information Technology Analyst |
| Faculty | Richard Corbetta | Paralegal Program Chair and Faculty |
| Instructor | Jackson Culpepper | English Instructor |
| Colorado Community College System Office | ||
| Administrator | Caleb Pellouchoud | Project Manager and Business Analyst |
| Classified | David Delitz | Structural Trades II Professional |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Award | Mike Roderique | Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | ||
| Administrator | Annette Burrow | Director of Adult Basic Education and Coordinator of the Gateway Center |
| Classified | Nic LeFevre | Director of Facilities |
| Faculty | Amanda Ott | Arts and Sciences Faculty |
| Instructor | Brittany LeBleu | Dental Hygiene Clinical Instructor |
| Community College of Aurora | ||
| Administrator | Adriana Cordova | Director of Center for Recruitment & Outreach |
| Classified | Elda Bunyan | Materials Handler |
| Faculty | Robley Welliver | English Faculty |
| Instructor | Patrick Munnelly | English Instructor |
| Community College of Denver | ||
| Administrator | Michelle Marin-Cox | Senior Operations and Data Manager |
| Classified | Christine Vongphackdy | Administrative Assistant III |
| Faculty | Kelly Zepp | English Faculty |
| Instructor | Joann McCarthy | English Instructor |
| Front Range Community College | ||
| Administrator | Alexandra Lepert | Financial Aid Service Coordinator |
| Classified | Lori Lough | Administrative Assistant |
| Faculty | Cory Reinking | History Faculty |
| Instructor | Glori Gesell | Art History Instructor |
| Lamar Community College | ||
| Administrator | Robert Vazquez | Information Technology Director |
| Classified | Tammra Repshire | Custodian |
| Faculty | Mittie Helm | Business Faculty |
| Instructor | Micah Middleton | Assistant Barber Instructor |
| Morgan Community College | ||
| Administrator | Gwen Steffen | Student Success Advisor |
| Classified | Jessica Trusty | Accounting Technician II |
| Faculty | Jeffrey Coon | Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program |
| Instructor | Kevin Hemphill | Math Instructor |
| Northeastern Junior College | ||
| Administrator | Snow Staples | Student Success Specialist |
| Classified | Lauren Montoya | Administrative Assistant II |
| Faculty | Nathan Robinson | Theater Instructor |
| Instructor | Allen Heggen | English Instructor |
| Otero Community College | ||
| Administrator | Alexa Cihura | TRiO Career and Financial Coach |
| Classified | Irma Freidenberger | Custodian I |
| Faculty | Cassidy Litle | English, Communication and Theater Faculty |
| Instructor | Darlene Blackford | Nutrition Instructor |
| Pikes Peak Community College | ||
| Administrator | Michael Madson | Associate Dean of Natural & Physical Sciences |
| Classified | Jess Martinez | Accounting Technician III |
| Faculty | Kristy Callihan | Communications Assistant Professor |
| Instructor | Lori Salgado | Political Science Instructor |
| Pueblo Community College | ||
| Administrator | Maria de la Cruz | Academic Excellence Instructor |
| Classified | Jake Renner | Police Officer |
| Faculty | Brad Bowers | History Faculty |
| Instructor | Brandi Halvorson | Health Profession Instructor |
| Red Rocks Community College | ||
| Administrator | Jen Broadwater | Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and Registrar |
| Classified | Jason Larez, Jr. | Structural Trades Professional |
| Faculty | Martha Stevens | Mathematics Faculty |
| Trinidad State Junior College | ||
| Administrator | Linda Perry | Executive Assistant to the President |
| Classified | Mathilda Westerman | Student Services Specialist II |
| Faculty | Ryan Newport | Division Chair and Professor of Gunsmithing |
| Instructor | Marc Wilson | English Instructor |
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About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, delivering more than 1,000 programs to over 121,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 40 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college.
About Colorado PERA
Colorado PERA provides retirement and other benefits to more than 620,000 current and former teachers, State Troopers, corrections officers, snow plow drivers, and other public employees who provide valuable service to all of Colorado. PERA is a vital and stable contributor to Colorado’s economy, distributing more than $4.2 billion in 2020 to more than 105,000 retirees who live in Colorado.
