(CAMARILLO, Calif.) Feb. 21, 2018 -
The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees acknowledged and congratulated four 2018 Classified Employee of the Year nominees. These individuals achieved the respect and commendation of their peers and represent the best of the Classified Service throughout the District in service to students and the community. “It is an honor to recognize these deserving classified employees and their accomplishments. Our classified staff support students and the community every day, in everything they do. We are proud to recognize their hard work being done throughout the district,” stated Board Chair Art Hernandez.
Connie Campos from Oxnard College
Ms. Consuelo (Connie) Campos has been employed by VCCCD for nearly 20 years, working at all three colleges. A proud graduate of Oxnard College, Connie began her career as a childcare aide in the Oxnard College Children’s Center. As a single parent raising two boys, she persevered in her studies and continued taking courses and building skills while advancing to an administrative assistant position. Connie has developed a well-deserved reputation for her strong work ethic, a helpful and courteous attention to students, and a tough love approach to faculty and fellow classified staff. Connie served her fellow classified employees as chief union steward for six years, and has participated in numerous hiring and other participatory governance committees. In both 2010 and 2013, Connie was awarded the Oxnard College John Milton award in recognition for her outstanding service to the campus.
Victory Kitamura has served the District in Information Technology as Webmaster and System Administrator for 17 years. Districtwide, he is known for his knowledge, skillful assistance, and helpful attitude in tackling IT projects and problems. Victory’s stand-out attribute is superior customer service. His desire to help others comes through in his IT training sessions, as he teaches employees how to operate the District’s technology platforms and shares his concern for creating accessible web content for users with disabilities. In the community, Victory has served on the Board of the Harmony Community Homeowners Association for many years and has also completed the Ventura County Leadership Academy, a program which aims to “connect and cultivate a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through immersion in both critical County issues and opportunities for personal and professional growth.”
Maiya Rodriguez from Ventura College
For more than 26 years, Maiya Rodriguez, has served Ventura College students as a bilingual Student Services Assistant. She inspires and guides students, families, and community members, assisting a legion of students over the years to matriculate to college. Maiya’s expertise and knowledge of the community and Ventura College has created a lasting impact with numerous students who return to her years later with gratitude, bringing their children, the next generation, to enroll at Ventura College. A Santa Paula native and VC alum, Maiya’s dedication to Ventura College East Campus goes above and beyond in serving the students, faculty, and community members in the Santa Clara River Valley. She is solely responsible for all East Campus student services encompassing the entire Main Campus Student Services Center: Admissions & Records, Student Connect, Student Business Office, Assessment, Counseling, Financial Aid, community relations, and outreach. Maiya exemplifies commitment and service in implementing the philosophy and mission of Ventura College.
For 18 years, Dena Stevens has served the students, staff, and faculty of Moorpark College as a college nurse. “Dena has re-written every standard of her job for the better and handles every situation she is given with the utmost professionalism,” Sharon Manakas, the coordinator of the Health Center stated. Dena treats each student with respect and compassion and models the importance of education through the teaching in-classroom presentations on topics such as suicide prevention training, child birth, and sexually transmitted infections. She is selfless and willing to go to great lengths to help students, staff and faculty be the best they can be on and off campus.
Districtwide Classified Employee of the Year
Dena Stevens was selected by her peers as the 2018 VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year. Her name will be provided to the California Community College Board of Governors for consideration as the statewide 2018 California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year, an award recognizing and honoring classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to the California Community Colleges, professional ethics and standards, serving the institution through participation in professional and/or community activities, and serving as a leader beyond the local institution. Up to six statewide classified employees will be selected and honored during the May Board of Governors’ Meeting in Sacramento.
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