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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series Fall 2025: Day 3

I would like to take a moment to honor our amazing faculty support, student support departments, and campus partners. The professional development work of the Teaching and Creativity Center is truly a campus-wide collaboration. I could not organize these programs without the incredible support of our Virtual Campus and Library Services.

We are fortunate to have passionate leaders and advisors who champion student success—from Student Success Coaches to Career Counselors. I hope I’m not forgetting any department, because every contribution matters. Our Success Coaches, in particular, play a vital role in supporting Teaching and Creativity Center programs, especially during Open Education Week. We always have inspiring conversations about how we can better serve our students through professional development programs.

Please note that these kudos are not in any particular order—you all rock! Thank you for everything you do!

From our Virtual Campus and Students to MCC Faculty

Students in Fall 2024 wanted to recognize the following faculty members for their well-designed Brightspace courses to support their success. Many students also shared that all of their faculty were truly outstanding.

  • Erin Strobl
  • Jason Syzmanski
  • Kole Tondryk
  • Dan Tyree
  • Mary Jo Vest
  • Michael Washco
  • Wanda Willard
  • Stephanie Woodward
  • Charles Wuertzer
  • Janet Zink
  • Rabia Zouaghi

From MCC Faculty to Virtual Campus

Virtual Campus I would like to thank the whole team at Virtual Campus for their relentless effort to accompany all of us in our ADA journey. You are the best team ever!

Andrea Gilbert (Virtual Campus)

Andrea Gilbert is an exceptional team leader and a true professional. I don’t know how she does it, but she always remains calm, thoughtful, and intelligent. Andrea is consistently eager to research and explore inclusive and accessible learning design strategies for our students and MCC faculty. MCC is fortunate to have such a supportive, compassionate, and insightful leader on our campus.

Abby Bechtel (Virtual Campus)

Abby is a passionate advocate for equity, inclusivity, belonging, and accessibility. On top of all the incredible tasks she does, Abby has designed Universal Design for Learning strategies that make a real impact. What I admire most about Abby is her ability to listen deeply and think critically. Every interaction with Abby is an opportunity to learn something new.

Jeremy Case (Virtual Campus)         

Jeremy is such an extraordinary help and is so greatly appreciated.  He not only responds to issues and inquiries, but is insightful and sees things that helps to prevent additional issues.  You are just amazing, Jeremy. Thank you!

Kate Robinson (Virtual Campus)             

  • Kate is so very helpful and friendly and professional. She is always happy to assist and never makes you feel unintelligent!  Very thankful for Kate!
  • The Teaching and Creativity Center is incredibly fortunate to have Kate on our steering committee. Kate is a passionate educator and a practical thinker who brings valuable insights to every discussion. Our adjunct faculty, as well as first- and second-year faculty, consistently learn effective, hands-on teaching strategies from her. We are truly lucky to have Kate’s expertise and dedication on our campus.

Library Services

I would like to give a big kudos to our amazing Library Services team. I truly admire how deeply you care about our students by providing both physical and virtual spaces that are inclusive and accessible for their learning and growth. I also greatly appreciate the research and innovative practices you implement to support our faculty’s professional development.

Pam Czaja (Library Services)

Library  Pam is such an asset with her dedication, prompt responses and willingness to help out.  Thank you, Pam!

Thank You from MCC Students to Our Learning Support Departments

Anne Devine (Learning Support Systems)           

She gave helpful information, answering my questions in a way that I would understand. She's easy to work with and in it or the long haul.

Diane Navarro (Library Services )

Diane is very bright and always acknowledging all the students that comes inside the library with smiles and warmth ready to assist in anyway she can. Diane has made my last fall semester extremely pleasant and went above and beyond to help me with resources for critical paper assignments. She is truly wonderful and I'll give her name to any student that finds public speaking, writing assignments or directions around the campus challenging as Diane goes OVER her desk to help in any way she can.

Elizabeth Krowl (Student Success & Advising Services)

Put in more than enough effort to get my classes all sorted out.

Amanda Vallone (Students Success Coaches)    

Amanda Vallone has been one of the most reliable and supportive staff members I've ever worked with. Even during busier advisement months, she has been quick to respond to my emails and answer my questions. When I mentioned my concerns about getting into my program, she offered encouragement and outlined goals to help me succeed. She is also very thorough and has never given me incorrect advisement. She has been a huge help in my academic journey, and I'm grateful to have her as my academic advisor.

Thank You from MCC Faculty & Staff to Our Support Departments

Tutoring and Academic Assistance Center Team Learning Support Systems             

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your exceptional support and dedication this semester. Every member of this team has stepped up in meaningful ways, and your collective efforts have had a tremendous impact on our students and programs.

Valerian Sullivan, thank you for going above and beyond in your role as our secretary by supporting both TRiO SSS and TAAC. Your flexibility, organization, and willingness to assist wherever needed have been truly invaluable.

Martha Macdonald and Ann Bauer, thank you both for your support, professionalism, and care you bring to our students at the front desk as our Senior Technical Assistants. Your presence creates a welcoming and dependable environment that our students rely on every day.

I would like to extend special recognition to Martha for her exceptional contributions to our course-based learning programs. Her willingness to assume additional support has been invaluable as we prepare for the upcoming spring semester.

Sara Revello, as the Coordinator of Course-Based Learning Programs, we are so grateful for the way you stepped up to support TRiO SSS this semester. Your program development skills have been instrumental in helping to reshape this program at a start of a new grant cycle.

Hannah Pickert and Morgan Santangelo, your work as Department Aides has been outstanding. Your commitment to creating ADA-compliant materials, thoughtful resources, and high-quality marketing content has elevated our services and ensured accessibility for all of our students.

And to all of our tutors, thank you for the incredible work you do every day. Your patience, expertise, and dedication to student learning are at the heart of our success. Whether in one-on-one sessions, group support, or in-class sessions and workshops, you consistently create welcoming spaces where students feel encouraged and empowered.

Thank you all for your teamwork, your passion, and the many ways you support our students and each other. We are truly grateful to work alongside such a committed and collaborative group.

TRiO SSS Team Learning Support Systems          

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Karen Scheuermann and Jack Kirby for their outstanding dedication and unwavering support of our TRiO SSS program. Serving in part-time roles, they have stepped up in extraordinary ways this semester to fully support this program, going above and beyond to ensure our students receive the guidance, encouragement, and resources they need to thrive. Their commitment, flexibility, and genuine care make a tremendous difference, and we are truly fortunate to have them as part of our TRiO SSS team.

Anne Devine (Learning Support Systems)           

Thank you, Anne Devine for your incredible leadership as our Lead Academic Coach. This semester, we saw a significant increase in in-class workshops, and you played a crucial role in making that growth possible. Your expertise, preparation, and genuine commitment to student success was instrumental in facilitating these sessions. We are grateful for your professionalism, positive energy, and the meaningful impact you continue to make for our students.

Carlo Atene (Learning Support Systems)

Carlo, we want to express our appreciation for the outstanding work you’ve done this semester as our Lead Math Tutor. With the launch of our pilot math in-class workshops, you played a central role in making this initiative successful. You not only helped facilitate the sessions but also created thoughtful, effective resources for both tutors and students to use. Your leadership, creativity, and commitment have made a meaningful impact, and we are truly grateful for your contributions. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum as we continue to expand this program.

Yan Aleksanyan (Tutoring & Academic Assistance Center)          

Yan is a gifted scholar and attentive support for our ENG 101 and TRS 099 students. He draws from his own successes and strategies and creates a safe space for our students to seek out additional support as they need it. Thank you, Yan, for sharing your talents, expertise, and your own experiences from your time in ENG 101! We appreciate you!

Shay Nowak (Tutoring & Academic Assistance Center)

Shay is an invaluable resource as our SI in ENG 101 and TRS 099. His extensive experience in serving in this capacity, as well as their generosity of time and talents benefits students beyond measure. Thank you, thank you, Shay! We appreciate you!

Kudos to our Student Success and Advising Services

Becky Babcock Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)        

Becky is an incredible team leader for HSPW and STEM. She not only excels at her job, but she also puts in extra effort to keep the team motivated and strong through fun group activities, one on one check-ins, and gestures of appreciation. No matter how busy things get, she always makes time and goes the extra mile. She has helped me work through stressful times and become better at my job. She's a true example of the difference strong leadership can make. Thank you, Becky!

Shannan Foos Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)

I am always impressed with how thoughtful and thorough Shannan is when it comes to all aspects of her work especially when she is working 1:1 with students. She sets the standard for me on what quality student interactions should look like.

Beth Krowl Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)

Beth consistently goes above and beyond for any of the students that she works with. She is meticulous and compassionate so that student walk away feeling not only more knowledgeable about their path forward, but empowered.

Lisa Ekiert  Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS) 

Thank you for being an incredibly supportive teammate.

Steven Schutt  Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)         

  • Thank you for being an incredibly supportive teammate. 
  • Steve is a fabulous colleague! He is funny, supportive, and always there to listen. He is thorough and clear when providing information, and he is  fully present with every student he meets with. We are so lucky he joined the CED team!

Kevin Wilson  Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)          

I’ve never seen you and Superman in the same room, and I’m starting to have questions.

Sarah Pantaleo Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)       

Sarah is an extremely hard working, dedicated, and supportive supervisor. She manages coaches in two schools and at two different campuses, and she makes it look easy! She is kind, patient, and always available to answer questions. She advocates for her staff, and truly listens to concerns. Thank you Sarah, for all that you do!

Stephanie Weaver Student Success & Advising Services (SSAS)  

Stephanie is an extremely supportive coworker. She is smart, determined, and concise, and she advocates for students every day. We are so lucky she joined the CED team!

Kudos to our Career Services

Rebecca Mack (Career Services)

I am sure that I am not the only one who is in the Rebecca Mack fan club because WOW she is incredible. She uses her institutional knowledge to make paths for students to continue on towards their dreams. Our students lives benefit from the hard work she puts into her meetings with them and all the detailed work she puts in behind the scenes.

Loida Lagares (Career Technical Education)       

Thank you, Loida, for always showing up with kindness and support.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
12/10/2025