Employee of the Month
May 2023 – Connor Jennings
Academic Advisor
Student Success Center
A few words from her nominator:
"Connor makes both students and staff feel welcome. She goes above and beyond to keep her office stocks with candy, snacks, squishmallows, affirmation cards, etc. literally anything she can think of to boost morale for everyone around her.”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy being an influential part of the student’s academic journey and their success here at COM. I also enjoy working with people who appreciate my energetic personality and passion for students. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and learned how to drive a tractor before a car. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
I watch so many different shows and movies that it is hard to choose!
My husband and I are currently binge watching House M.D. and anything with Gordon Ramsay. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
Write a book! - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would LOVE to have the power to clone myself so I can accomplish twice as much in one day!
April 2023 – Marcus Taylor
Maintenance Technician II
Facility Services
A few words from his nominator:
"Marcus demonstrates outstanding dedication, service and commitment to COM because he is one of the first employees on campus each morning and will be one of the last to leave for the day when there is a special project or a spot that needs to be filled in the Facilities Dept.”
Let’s get to know him a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
The staff and students are amazing! It is just a great place to work. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I love to go fishing and be outdoors. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
Friday Night Lights - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
Buy a truck and a boat. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Fly, because I would be able to travel the world.
March 2023 – Christian Tate
Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Purchasing
A few words from his nominator:
"Christian always has a smile on is face and a positive attitude. He greets everyone he encounters with a friendly "Hello" regardless of the day. Meaning it could be raining cats & dogs or be 105 degrees outside with 100% humidity and Christian will walk into the library to deliver or pick up stuff with a smile on his face and always ready to do his job.”
Let’s get to know him a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
The opportunity to give back to my community. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I’m not a REAL Texan. I’m from Raleigh, North Carolina. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
One Piece is the greatest show of all-time. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
I would like to go Snowboarding in Europe. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
To be able to control time. I’d go back and buy some amazon/Apple stocks!
February 2023 – Nicole Lloyd
Buyer
Purchasing
A few words from her nominator:
"Nicole is dedicated to ensuring that you understand not just that purchasing needs certain information, but also why it is important to the process. Nicole is great at educating us on procedures in a way that makes you feel like we are on the same team.”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy working for the community I grew up in. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
Most people may not know that I was a teenage runaway. It is a sad but true redemptive story and I love to tell people about it. If anyone would like to know how it went, just ask! - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
My favorite movies are most any starring or produced by Mel Gibson…Top three: #1- The Passion of the Christ, #2- Braveheart, #3- Apocalypto - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
I hope to be a boat owner somewhere in the near future. Preferably a boat big enough to put my bucket in lol. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I had to consult with the experts on this one. After a thorough debriefing with my sons, I think I would like the superpower where you can teleport anywhere and bring someone with you. I think it would come in handy when my boys need a reality check or change of perspective.
January 2023 – Greg Benefield
Academic Advisor
Student Life
A few words from his nominator:
"Greg demonstrates outstanding dedication with his work as an Academic Advisor for OSHA, Welding, and now has taken on the PTEC caseload. His work with the Minority Men for Excellence program, specifically the community service work he participates in, spotlights COM and the MM4E program.”
Let’s get to know him a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy working at College of Mainland because of the students first. I am happy to be able to give back to my community that I grew up in by assisting young men and women better themselves. I enjoy guiding students to be professionals, to be successful in their education, and helping them start their career pathways. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I won 3 football state championship at LaMarque High school as a wide receiver.
I also really LOVE to cook and travel; traveling has allowed me to explore different foods across the country. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
My favorite movie is the Godfather. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
Go Skydiving! - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I want the power to change the hearts of all people so that we can grow as a nation and co-exist peacefully with others.
December 2022 – Andrea Crucian
Sr. HR Business Partner
Human Resources
A few words from her nominator:
"Andrea makes every interaction and question feel warm and welcomed. She is the best introduction to a new position that anyone could ask for. She makes new hires feel welcome and helps them through the often cumbersome process of onboarding. She shows that COM is a great place to work.”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I really enjoy all the great people I get to work with at COM. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I recently took up archery, but I find it challenging to find the time to participate in the activity. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
I do not have an all-time favorite movie or TV show. However, I greatly enjoyed the Mandalorian TV series. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
I look forward to my youngest son graduating from high school in 2023-2024 and venturing into the next phase of his education. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to have the power of persuasion to accomplish substantially more with fewer obstacles.
November 2022 – Maegan Guzman
Administrative Assistant IV
Continuing Education
A few words from her nominator:
"Maegan exemplifies caring for others, which is what COM is about. She is instrumental in the operation of the Lifelong Learning program through Continuing Education. As President of Classified Council, she has worked to instill excitement into classified staff about their institution role and encourages us to get together to discuss process improvement and problem areas.”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
The most enjoyable part of working at COM is the people that I encounter. The students and staff I work with have become lifelong friends and the overall energy oftentimes feels like one big family! - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I am kind of a crazy plant lady. I love plants and gardening and I have over 100 plants in and outside my home! - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
I love true crime so probably Dateline. I think I have seen every episode. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
My dream is to open a plant/book/coffee shop. I am already building my library! - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would be able to see loved ones that are no longer with us as often as I wanted. I lost both my parents and best friend in the last few years and that has been a really hard adjustment, especially when I need a listening ear or advice.
October 2022 – Ruthe Newman
Financial Aid Officer
Student Financial Services
A few words from her nominator:
"Ruthe is the model of what a dedicated, hard worker looks like. Ruthe goes above and beyond in the financial aid department…always with a smile and positive attitude.”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I like that each COM student’s situation is different. Never a dull moment in the financial aid office. No two days are the same. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I am a certified scuba diver. I was face to face with a hammerhead shark while scuba diving Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. I survived by remaining calm and very still in the water. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
Impossible to name one favorite TV show or movie. Top 5 TV shows: The Wire, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Americans. Top 5 movies: Silence of the Lambs, The Godfather-Part II, All the President’s Men, The Birdcage, and The Bridge on the River Kwai. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
African safari vacation. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Time travel so I could find out who really killed JFK.
September 2022 – Isabella Vitiello
Administrative Assistant
Human Service Careers
A few words from her nominator:
"Isabella is a blessing to everyone she meets. She always has a smile and is eager to help, no matter how busy she is. She is such an asset to our department”
Let’s get to know her a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy my coworkers the most! They make my days brighter and fun. I also enjoy how appreciated I feel by both my coworkers and upper management. It’s something I’ve never experienced at any other organization. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
One thing about myself that most people wouldn’t know is that I am a mother of 2 cats. They are my pride and joy. Their names are Peep and Gio. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
My favorite sitcom is Regular Show. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
One thing I wish to cross off my bucket list is to visit a city in every state in the continental U.S. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, it would be telekinesis so I can multitask proficiently.
August 2022 – Judy Pryor
Administrative Assistant
Dual Credit Department
A few words from her nominator:
"Judy is an important link between COM faculty and the school districts, and she does a great job of facilitating communication. Now that she has moved to Texas City and I don't see her every day, work is a lot less fun and sociable!”
Let’s get to know Judy a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy working with the COM family. The employees at COM are always willing to help each other, our students, and our community. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
I was adopted at birth. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
Steel Magnolias - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
Take a cruise! - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I had a superpower, I would want to have the power to create a world where all children are safe, loved, and valued.
July 2022 – Carmen Franco
Financial Aid Generalist
Student Financial Services
A few words from her nominator:
"Carmen truly cares about assisting students and is an outstanding team player, always willing to assist her colleagues with processing when they need it. "
Let’s get to know Carmen a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I enjoy working with my financial aid team. We make an awesome team. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
My favorite character is Mickey Mouse, but I’ve never been to Disneyland. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
I have more than one favorite, but I usually like to watch chick flicks & vampire/werewolf movies. - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
Take my parents on their long overdue 50th anniversary trip. It got postponed due to COVID. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
More than a superpower, I would love to possess the Lasso of Truth from Wonder Woman. It would help when meeting with students regarding their appeal. Are they really telling the truth? Oops.
June 2022 – Dr. R.E. Davis
Faculty
Humanities
A few words from his nominator:
"He is committed to student success and will take action to ensure that students have every opportunity to succeed despite unforeseen obstacles.”
Let’s get to know R.E. a little better:
- What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
I love working with my outstanding team, colleagues and leadership to create conditions where students can achieve their dreams. - What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
In December I love to watch Hallmark Christmas movies. - What is your favorite TV show or movie?
Right now, I'm in love with a show called Midnight Diner - What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
I would like to become SCUBA certified. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would have the ability to make pastries appear from thin air. Because, profit and deliciousness.
Employee of the Month Nomination Form