After only working at Cerritos College for two years, Marvelina Barcelo, Supervisor of peer counseling, is one of four chosen in the STAR awards this year.
“I was very, very surprised. I didn’t think I would be chosen after only working here two years,” Barcelo said.
Dr. Erlinda Martinez, Vice President of Student Services, has always wanted to acknowledge her staff in a special way.
The STAR awards have been given out in the past two years.
The event was held on Sept. 18 in the student center.
“The STAR awards is one way I can acknowledge staff that give consistently to the college, are always positive and have a great attitude,” Martinez said.
In order for staff to receive the STAR award, they must show four characteristics the represent the acronym STAR.
ServiceTeamworkAttitudeResponsibility
“There is no selection committee and no set number on how many staff members are honored,” Martinez said.
This year Martinez honored four women with the award.
The four are Gerri Greene, who works as a Student Service Assistant 2 in Disabled Students, Sylvia Bello-Gardner, who is a counselor on campus, Marvelina Barcelo, who is a Supervisor of peer counseling and Ronda Lipsohn, a specialist in financial aid.
All the recipients were surprised to be honored by Martinez.
“I was totally surprised. I felt valued. It really makes you want to continue to do a good job to help students,” Gerri Greene said.
Greene works in the resource center for disabled students.
“To have a VP like Dr. Martinez acknowledge you personally, shows that your work is being valued. She makes it very special,” Greene said.
At the awards Martinez gives her staff engraved silver, star paperweights.
“There very pretty and heavy,” Greene added.
Barcelo also felt very special to be honored.
“It really means a lot to be honored. It means that there are eyes looking at my work with counselors and peer counseling,” Barcelo commented.
Martinez hopes that others will strive to reflect the same values as the individuals honored and receive their own star next year.
