(L-R) Oxnard College Vice President Business Services Mike Bush, Dr. Jennifer Clark, 2017 VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year Ashley Chelonis, President Cynthia Azari, Vice President Student Development Oscar Cobian.
(VENTURA, Calif.) March 1, 2017 –
The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Board of Trustees acknowledged four 2017 VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year nominees during the regular February board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Chair Bernardo Perez announced the nominees and presented awards to the distinguished honorees: Dana Boynton (Ventura College), Ashley Chelonis (Oxnard College), Linda Resendiz (Moorpark College), and Mike Rose (District Administrative Center).
Dana Boynton joined the District in 2007 as a library assistant in technical services at Ventura College. Her current title is library technician and she serves as an integral part of the Ventura College library team. Boynton is praised for demonstrating student-centered logic, working tirelessly to eliminate barriers that inhibit students from accessing library resources, and advocating for student-friendly approaches to resolving problems. Her love for Ventura College, the Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library and serving students is an inspiration to others.
Ashley Chelonis, Instructional Technologies/Designer at Oxnard College, joined the District in 2010. She leads the districtwide Instructional Technology Advisory Committee as the senior instructional technologies/designer. Chelonis is devoted to instructing and supporting staff, faculty, and students in the use and implementation of technologies that support student success; she is dedicated to improving distance education as a pathway to student learning. Chelonis also served as the Moorpark College Classified Senate Secretary for two years before joining Oxnard College. She is a licensed foster parent and a youth leader and mentor.
Linda Resendiz, Executive Assistant to the President of Moorpark College, joined the District in 2008. Her work ethic and commitment to excellence makes her a tremendous asset to the college. She often works late or is willing to come into the office on her days off to complete projects. Her optimism, professionalism and school spirit are infectious; she frequently attends productions and sporting events hosted by the Moorpark College Performing Arts division. Her leisure time is spent with family and at the gym where she helps motivate others and shares her love of fitness.
Mike Rose joined the District in 2007 in the Information Technology Department as a Senior Programmer Analyst; he was promoted to Director of Software Applications and Development in August 2016. Rose was instrumental in launching the District’s mobile app for mobile payments, push messaging, course schedules, news, emergency notifications and more. Through his leadership of the districtwide Student Success Initiative, Rose led the VCCCD to becoming the first district in the state to successfully submit required Student Success and Support Program (3SP) Management Information Systems data. In 2015, he received the California Community College Chief Information Systems Officers Association’s Campus Technology Excellence Award and the Excellence in Community Building and Support of Peers and Colleges from Ellucian. In the spirit of giving back, Rose provides leadership in technology, digital communications and facilities at Orchard Community Church in Ventura where he serves as an Elder and Sonshine Preschool, also in Ventura.
Chelonis was selected as the 2017 VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year. Her name will be forwarded to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for consideration for the statewide 2017 California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year Award. This award honors California Community College classified employees demonstrating the highest level of commitment to the mission of community colleges, professional ethics and standards, service to the institution through participation in professional and/or community activities, and service as a leader beyond the local institution.
"It is with great pleasure that we congratulate and acknowledge these extraordinary individuals publicly in front of their colleagues, families and friends," stated Board Chair Bernardo Perez. "It is their hard work and commitment to excellence that helps the District achieve its goals related to student success," added Perez. "We also commend the VCCCD Classified Professional Development Committee in cooperation with the Classified Senates for sponsoring this outstanding program that acknowledges the District’s appreciation for classified employees," stated Chancellor Bernard Luskin. "A job well done."
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 113-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 50,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four- year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co- curricular campus activities. Trustees are Bernardo Perez, Chair, Arturo Hernandez, Vice Chair, and Stephen Blum, Larry Kennedy and Dianne McKay. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.
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