Winter 2022 Classified Staff Excellence Award recipient: Chris Chaffin

Congratulations to Chris Chaffin, Program Support Supervisor, Student Tutoring Services recipient of the 2022 Winter Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!

Chris Chaffin, Program Support Supervisor, Student Tutoring Services

“Chris takes incredible leadership and pride in his work and it shows in his always welcoming, upbeat, enthusiastic greeting he provides to everyone that comes through the door.” – a staff member

We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the other nominees.

• Beverly Brosius – Program Specialist, Enrollment Services
• Chris Layfield – Administrative Services Manager, Security and Safety Services
• Jessica Sanders – Program Support Supervisor, Transitional Studies Division
• Lisa Hasart – Procurement & Supply Specialist, Purchasing and Central Services
• Pavel Popov – IT Support Technician, Library
• Phary Cox – Program Specialist, Veteran’s Resource Center
• Stacy Watne – Custodian, Custodial Services

Beverly Brosius – Program Specialist, Enrollment Services

“[Beverly] is the ‘voice’ of the newly created One Stop and there couldn’t have been a more perfect person there to be the first person students encounter when coming onto campus. Bev has the ability to greet a guest or student of Clark with her cheerful hellos and provide an immediate sense of belonging. Alex single handedly supports the entire campus for Canvas. Canvas is our lifeline to the students and Alex keeps us alive.” – a staff member

• Beverly has been a valued Clark College employee since 1998. 
• She ensures that whoever she is assisting gets the right answer. Beverly works with guests and/or students and tracks the answer down, and in many cases, walks with the guest/student to the next department. This shows her dedication to high-quality customer service.
• Beverly does an amazing job communicating with students and provides clear communication, answers, and a friendly attitude to all her college colleagues.

Phary Cox – Program Specialist, Veteran’s Resource Center

“Phary’s strong communication and collaborative skills have served the department well over the last 6 months. Without a director or other long-standing team members she ensured the VRC was upbeat, productive, and efficient. She worked with the VA work student students and kept them productive to ensure our veteran students were not affected by the personnel situation in the VRC. She also reached out to the VA to renew work study student contracts so that the VRC could continue to serve veteran students.” – a staff member

• Phary has been a valued Clark College employee since 2021. 
• During a big staffing transition period in the Veteran’s Resources Center, Phary learned her duties at the college, completed training to assist with her role, and served the VA students and others. She did this all with a friendly and encouraging attitude.
• She is always available to talk with students and staff despite the VRC not always being physically open for walk-ins. She has been committed to clear, timely, and consistent communication to students, providing excellent customer service.

Lisa Hasart – Procurement & Supply Specialist, Purchasing & Central Services

 “Lisa is one of those people working quietly behind the scenes to make things easy for others.” – a faculty member

• Lisa has been a valued Clark College employee since 1989. 
• Lisa is a dedicated, hard-working employee who has spent her time at the college updating processes and forms in purchasing. She has significantly impacted and eased the workload for others at the college.
• Lisa has conducted many trainings at the college and presents sometimes challenging topics with professionalism and patience.

Chris Layfield – Administrative Services Manager, Security and Safety Services

“In addition to Chris’ “regular duties” that require him to work closely with a cross section of the institution on a daily basis, he also serves as the Co-Chief Steward for the WPEA. IN this role, he responds to the needs of his fellow staff members and advocates for their benefit.” – a staff member

• Chris Layfield has been a valued Clark College employee since 2017. 
• Chris came into his role in the Safety and Security Department a few years ago. He realized right away that the paper-heavy department needed some assistance to improve the department’s efficiency. Through his hard work and dedication, Chris was able to update the department’s record-keeping system to digital records. He has also created training to instruct his department staff on the new processes and software.
• Chris shows a strong dedication to the college and often goes beyond his traditional job duties. He has served on various committees across the college, including the Recovery Management Team and Social Equity Advisory Council. He is also an active Union Steward for the WPEA. 

Pavel Popov – IT Support Technician, Libraries

“Pavel Popov has provided outstanding service to the Clark College community for the past 15 years.

As an IT Support Tech 2, he consistently and competently performs his work responsibilities. His subject matter expertise, innovative ideas, and professionalism make the Library website and online system run smoothly and efficiently.” – a staff member

• Pavel has been a valued Clark College employee since 2007. 
• He responds rapidly to any questions, service disruptions, or other requests (even monitoring and responding to things during his off-hours) to ensure our systems are up and running 24/7.
• Pavel’s high level of customer service to the students, public, and community often goes unnoticed outside the Library because his work is performed behind the scenes. However, many of the college’s tools, such as online research resources, impact much of the community.

Jessica Sanders – Program Support Supervisor, Transitional Studies Division

 “Jessica is absolutely wonderful in every way! She’s ALWAYS kind, friendly, respectful, helpful, and competent – whether you’re asking for help or asking a question for the first time or the 50th! She has a wonderfully positive attitude, and is always polite and professional in her emails, always managing to respond very swiftly to emails and other queries.” – a faculty member

• Jessica has been a valued Clark College employee since 2011. 
• Jessica is often the first point of contact for many who reach out to the Transitional Studies Division. She always responds with a positive attitude and remains calm and cool in high-stress and sometimes challenging situations. 
• Jessica possesses the ability to develop creative solutions to solve problems. Gives quality attention to detail while executing projects. She is always ready to help coworkers and every student that comes into the office.
• The Transitional Studies Division works with one of the most diverse student populations, English language learners. Most of the students in this department are adjusting to vast cultural traditions and customs. Jessica always ensures that the students feel supported and often tells them, “I’m glad you’re here” and “You’re going to have a great time at Clark College.”

Stacy Watne – Custodian, Custodial Services

“Over the past two years, Stacy has, at times, been the only person in Gaiser Hall. She has been a friendly face to students and staff. Stacy welcomes everyone she sees, offers support to students when she can. Stacy goes above her custodial duties to be welcoming to students and help connect them to staff in enrollment, cashiering, financial aid and more.” – a staff member

• Stacy has been a valued Clark College employee since 2009. 
• Stacy goes above and beyond her custodial duties and, at times, has been found in Gaiser Hall assisting students and even walking them to the correct department they are searching for.
• Stacy always maintains an optimistic attitude and a friendly smile. This kind gesture creates a welcoming and positive campus community for anyone she crosses paths with at the college.