Join us in recognizing the Facilities Team, Natalie, Makiko, Bridey and Leslie.
Name: All of Facilities
Core Value: Sustainability
Reason: Kudos to the Facilities Management, Planning and Construction (FMPC) department for their dedication to keeping our campus safe during the recent snowstorms. Despite challenging conditions, they diligently shoveled and cleared snow, working beyond the midday closure through the following snow day closures to ensure our campus remained safe and accessible for students and staff. Your commitment to safety and service is truly commendable and greatly appreciated by everyone at RCC. Thank you for your exceptional efforts!
Name: Natalie Herklotz
Core Value: Collaboration
Reason: Natalie has always been one of my go-to people when I need an extra eye on something. It had been a while, so I asked her to come by and help with a reconciliation I had trouble with. After working through it, she was able to find the issue. If it weren’t for her, I would probably still be waking up at 3 a.m. trying to figure it out. Thank you, Natalie, for always being there when needed and helping where you can. I appreciate you!
Name: Makiko Barrey
Core Values: Collaboration and Courage
Reason: I really appreciate that Makiko has made herself available to assist with academic advising at TRC when an ACC is unavailable. Thank you so much for filling in when needed—students really appreciate you too! 🙂
Name: Bridey Mendoza-Moore
Core Value: Collaboration
Reason: ECEE Department Chair Bridey Mendoza-Moore exemplifies a communicative, agile and responsive leader who fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, ensuring that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have the resources and protections they need to succeed.
Her efforts in supporting students around immigration policies and questions have made a tangible impact on the college community. Recognizing the challenges students face regarding immigration concerns, Bridey proactively gathered and disseminated critical information to faculty, empowering them to provide accurate guidance and support. She developed clear, accessible talking points on students’ rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), ensuring that private student information remains protected and that faculty and staff understand RCC’s policies regarding interactions with law enforcement and immigration authorities.
In addition, Bridey worked to expand resources for Spanish-speaking students, advocating for increased access to counseling and other essential services. She ensured that community resources were readily available, fostering an environment where students and faculty could share knowledge and provide mutual support.
Her leadership and advocacy directly align with RCC’s mission to strengthen communities through education and equity. By fostering open communication, responsive action and cross-department collaboration, Bridey has ensured that students feel safe, supported and empowered to pursue their education without fear.
Her dedication to student success and equity makes her an ideal candidate for this award. Thank you, Bridey!
Name: Leslie Cox
Core Value: Collaboration
Reason: Leslie went out of her way to welcome the Community & Workforce Training team to the RWC-Q building. The departments are temporarily sharing the space, and to welcome our team, Leslie picked a day when she knew we would all be here and created a beautiful selection of homemade goodies for everyone to share. Such a lovely thing to do. We appreciate her collaborative spirit—she is wonderful!