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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series - Day 15: Thank You, Our MCC Faculty and Professional Staff

As we wrap up the final day of our semi-annual kudos celebration, I’m pleased to share the last round of kudos—this time from MCC colleagues to fellow colleagues. As we continue to celebrate Professional Development Week, I encourage you to take a moment to enjoy these thoughtful messages of appreciation. Please stay tuned for the upcoming TCC Fall 2025 Participation Announcement. Once again, thank you for your continued support of the Teaching and Creativity Center. Wishing you a wonderful, restorative, and well-deserved summer break!

Bethany Gizzi (Faculty Association, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Bethany's steadfast leadership in the Faculty Association has been a steadying force in the winds of change at MCC and beyond for many years. Thank you, Bethany, for your strength and watchful eye on the horizon during chaos and calm!
  • Thank you to Bethany for your tireless advocacy to ensure that worker's rights are at the forefront of our work across the College. Your steadfast determination and clear, unwavering voice to always represent the needs and rights of our Faculty Association is deeply appreciated. Thank you for seeing us through what continues to be a very difficult period of time, and for being such a strong, capable, skillful leader for all. We appreciate your example of the power of value-based leadership in all that you do!

Nursing                            

I wanted to recognize the fabulous team I teach with in the Department of Nursing. I am retiring in June and have taught at MCC for the past 21 years.  My tenure at MCC has been enhanced greatly by wonderful, caring, talented and supportive people like Monika, Elizabeth and Victoria.

  • Monika Bentley - Always caring for the success of her students and co-workers, graciously offers to take on additional projects especially when recognizing the heavy workload of others on the team, brings a genuine smile and uplifting positive attitude to her work and her interactions with others.
  • Elizabeth Zion Stratton - Our team's creative genius, she focuses on giving students an engaging and innovative learning experience, she brings energy and brightness to our team with her wit and her smile, her dedication to maintaining high standards in teaching is an inspiration to me and others.
  • Victoria Merrick - Although a new member of the team, she has a maturity beyond her experience, doing her work with enthusiasm and expertise, she's goes above and beyond in taking on projects (even when not assigned or expected), she projects confidence, excitement and energy every day.

Professor Caridad Rosario Mathieu (Nursing)                  

Cari is truly an inspiration and someone I look up too. Combining deep clinical expertise with a compassionate, student-centered approach to teaching. She doesn’t just teach us how to be nurses, She shows us what it means to care with empathy, think critically, and lead with integrity. Her guidance and encouragement have made a meaningful difference in my journey toward becoming a nurse. What I love the most is that she makes learning fun and she treats all of her students with respect and kindness. Cari has not only helped me grow as a nursing student during the most critical semester there is in nursing school but she has also inspired me to become the kind of nurse who leads with compassion and confidence. Thank you Cari!

Cheryl Gavigan (Human Resources)

Our area calls upon Human Resources often.  Cheryl is always a wealth of knowledge with a calm demeanor.  She is professional and nice in all interactions.  We appreciate her patience and ability to quickly relay information back to us.  Thank you, Cheryl!

Darren Kwiatkowski (Bookstore)

Darren has answered every question about and solved every problem I've had with textbooks. I am expecially grateful that he worked with me as I changed my order, not once but twice,  for a FA 25 textbook. Thanks Darren

Employee Technical Support Desk (helpdesk)

For their unending patience and dedication to helping resolve issues so others can accomplish what they need to do in their work at MCC.

MCC Applied Team and STAC                                 

Thanks for being collaborative and innovative!

Veronica Chiesi Brown (Community Relations)

Earlier this year, Veronica joined the Wellness Council and jumped on the co-committee for the Welcome Wagon Mindful Moments which I chair, along with 3 other ladies as members. In her new endeavor, she has been instrumental in being another voice in our brainstorming ideas off each other. Her creativity is a bonus. She has been very kind and instrumental in everything I have requested. We are happy to have her on our team!

Cristie Cummings (MCC Association)                     

Cristie has been amazing at helping our students through the bookstore credit process.  Whenever there is an issue, she's always willing to help, and doesn't mind when I randomly show up at her office with a student.

The Curriculum and Assessment Office 

Many ongoing kudos to Andy Freeman, Margarita Medina-Perez, and Jennifer Kinslow for their tireless work and dedication in the Office of Curriculum and Assessment. They are the behind-the-scenes force that makes it possible for the College to implement curricular changes that better serve our students and community. Their timely guidance, unwavering support, deep knowledge, and steady leadership keep the wheels of MCC’s programs turning. We cannot thank them enough for all they do—your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for your hard work and expertise!

Kathleen Borbee (Business Administration)

I would like to recognize Miss Kathleen Borbee for her generosity in sharing her expertise and knowledge, particularly in ePortfolio and service learning. As a new teacher on campus, her encouragement and guidance have been incredibly valuable. She has helped me navigate unfamiliar territory, introduced me to important campus resources, and supported me with genuine care across many areas of teaching and service. Her mentorship has made a real difference in my experience at MCC.

Melis Kural (The Teaching and Creativity Center)

A huge thank you to Melis for her leadership and dedication in guiding the TCC. Her commitment to designing creative, meaningful programming—and her consistent focus on listening to the professional development needs of our faculty and staff—has made the TCC a vital space for growth, innovation, and connection. We are fortunate to have her at MCC!

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
06/04/2025