IRSC Recognizes Outstanding Faculty and Staff at Inaugural 2023 Employee Service Awards Reception

IRSC Recognizes Outstanding Faculty and Staff at Inaugural 2023 Employee Service Awards Reception

November 8, 2023 Robert Lane

Indian River State College (IRSC) is a place where employees lead, inspire, innovate and achieve. The outstanding contributions IRSC team members make were honored and recognized during the inaugural Fall 2023 IRSC Service Awards on Wednesday, November 8, at the Eastman Advanced Workforce Training Complex—the College’s newest, most technologically advanced training facility, located on the Massey Campus in Fort Pierce.

Photos by James Crocco, IRSC Staff Photographer

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Guests enjoyed the sounds of the 33-member IRSC Student Jazz Ensemble led by Dr. John Southall, lively conversation and culinary delights during the event where six newly re-imagined College awards were awarded, and years of service were recognized—with particular recognition for the devoted service of one exemplary Pioneer, June Wells, for 50 years at Indian River.

The awards and recognitions presented were as follows:

• Dr. Taylor Andrew Kilman, for meritorious service towards IRSC Strategic Goal 1: Improve Student Success.
  1.1 Improve student learning
  1.2 Improve the student learning environment
  1.3 Improve student retention and completion
  
  
• Emily E. Mass, for meritorious service towards IRSC Strategic Goal 2: Increase College-Going in the Community
  2.1 Raise community awareness of and interest in IRSC programs
  2.2 Improve financial support for potential students
  2.3 Streamline transition from secondary to IRSC post-secondary programs
  
  
• Cynthia L. Bruin, for meritorious service towards IRSC Strategic Goal 3: Promote Continuous Improvement to Enhance Organizational Performance
  3.1 Improve institutional effectiveness and efficiency
  3.2 Distinguish IRSC and strengthen brand
  3.3 Cultivate alternative revenue sources
  
  
• Dr. Michelle A. Cuba was recognized with the inaugural True North Navigator Award. This leadership honor goes to an internal honoree who excels in clearly directing courses of action and steering the work of the college in alignment with goals outlined in the Strategic Plan and consistent with the Essentials. The honoree must be dedicated to the college and its mission and foster an environment where employees want to join and be a part of something.
  
  
• Christa Luna, IRSC District Board of Trustees and Bert Culbreth, IRSC Foundation Board of Directors, both from the Gilbert Family of Companies, were honored with Peregrine Awards. This versatile honor is provided to an external honoree(s) of distinction; a member of the community, a business leader, a philanthropist, a college partner, or an alumnus who has gone above and beyond to support the college’s strategic priorities and exceeds expectations in their giving, accomplishments, volunteerism, representation of the community, partnerships, or business duties to the College.
  
  
• Giovanni “John” Barbieri was recognized with the Team Member of the Year Award. This staff honor serves to recognize one of the Team Members of the Month award winners This individual is recognized by their peers as a top role model for staff-related excellence in service by consistently exemplifying and promoting values such as respect for mission and others, integrity, effective communication, and empowerment. The honoree must be passionate about outstanding service and committed to making a difference.

IRSC full-time employees with 10 years of service and greater were also honored:

10 Years of Service Award

• Omar Anez
• Kendra Auberry
• Angie Bailey
• Sion Brinn
• Georgiana Carvalho
• Debra Castonguay
• Casey Dillahay
• Donka Dimovski
• Maria “Jessie” Ferreira
• Kayla Flom
• Shanice Grant
• Alexander Harrison
• Jason Hazellief
• Catherine Hooker
• James “Jim” Jeffers
• Clifford Kemp
• Emily Mass
• Sandra Nelson
• Lynne O’Dell
• Joseph Palencik
• Cristobal Sartori De Smith
• Anne Savastano
• John Schmidt
• Tamara Serrano
• Patricia Shaw
• Augustus Simonelli III
• Matthew Smith
• Edwin Vazquez
• Raymond “Marc” Villanova

15 Years of Service Award

• Robert Ahlum
• Terry Bilak
• Donald Bryant
• Donald Burford
• John Carpenter
• James Howse
• Leslie Judd
• Devonica Vaught
• Luke Verdegem
• Darnell Wesley
• April Willis

20 Years of Service Award

• Nicholas Brown
• Mauricio Garcia
• Rita Lindsay
• Rebecca Shearer
• Brian Siegle
• Teena-Louise White

25 Years of Service Award

• Sharon Burklo
• Brenda Freeman
• Patricia Gagliano
• Joseph Lenartiene
• Hans Sorensen

30 Years of Service Award

• Jon Bell
• Ann Hubbard
• Scott Kimmelman
• Gary Uhazie

50 Years of Service Award

• June Wells

The Employee Recognition Workgroup and representatives from departments across IRSC worked together to reimagine, streamline, and improve employee recognition, the College award ceremonies, and the general awards process. Special recognition is due for the work they contributed above and beyond their responsibilities and for all the effort their team put forward to make these enhancements.