Classified Senate Leader Honored

May 24, 2024 - 10:42 AM

Yvette Garcia, an administrative assistant in Technical Services and president of the Classified Senate, has been named a Classified Employee of the Year by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Chancellor's Office.

Yvette was only one of four classified employees statewide to receive the honor, which comes with a $750 cash award and commemorative plaque. She has worked at Mt. SAC for eight years.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the Board of Governors' Employees of the Year,” Yvette said. “My heartfelt thanks go to Sean Cook who nominated me, to Dr. Garcia for her unwavering support and presence, and to all the college employees—this achievement is truly a team effort.”

The Classified Employee of the Year Award was established through a resolution at the May 2008 Board of Governors meeting. The award has been given out annually since May 2009 to honor community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to Vision 2030, the mission of the California Community Colleges' and their local districts.

In the nomination, Sean wrote that Yvette is “a fervent advocate for equity and has shown unwavering commitment to equitable student outcomes during her tenure as an administrative assistant for more than seven years at Mt. San Antonio College.”

He wrote: “Yvette’s tenure in the Technical Services Department at Mt. SAC exemplifies a pinnacle of professional excellence and high standards of job performance, particularly in serving their diverse student population. Since being in this role, Yvette has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Vision 2030 pillars—People, Systems, Resources and Policy—but has also directly contributed to creating a more inclusive, supportive and equitable educational environment.”

“Her actions reflect a deep and genuine dedication to serving not just the institution's diverse student population through her participation in college activities, but also the wider community through her professional and volunteer efforts such as her work with the Walnut High School Community Club and the Latin Parent Alliance highlighting her proactive approach in addressing educational inequities,” the nomination read.

Classified employees, with a minimum of five years of service as a permanent employee, are nominated by their colleagues and endorsed by the local board of trustees. Award recipients are then selected by representatives from the Board of Governors, Consultation Council and the Chancellor’s Office on their commitment to Vision 2030; the California Community Colleges’ mission; professional ethics and standards; serving the institution through participation in professional and/or community activities; and serving as a leader beyond their local institution.