Employee of the Month

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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May 2022 – Rhonda Shiflet

Administrative Assistant
Humanities

A few words from her nominator:

"By sharing information and training to new admins, she is creating a positive work environment and making sure that we have the tools needed in order to succeed in our departments. Therefore, improving the college through shared knowledge.”

Let’s get to know Rhonda a little better:

• What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
  The people I get to work with.
• What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
  I have over 50 scrapbooks I’ve created documenting the lives of my family, children and now grandchildren.
• What is your favorite TV show or movie?
  I much prefer to read, but I have watched every episode of Friends.
• What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
  Cruising the Panama Canal.
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  My superpower would be to slow down time so I can enjoy my grandbabies longer. They grow up too quickly.

April 2022 – Ann Presnall

Admissions and Records Generalist
Admissions and Records

A few words from her nominator:

"Ann constantly demonstrates her commitment to COM through her positive actions, words and gestures, whether to students or employees.”

Let’s get to know Ann a little better:

• What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
  I enjoy bantering with my co-workers. The daily laughter gets me through the day. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
• What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
  I take 12-14 showers a week.
• What is your favorite TV show or movie?
  I have several favorite movies. My top ones are Beetlejuice, Clue, Die Hard, Labyrinth, Overboard, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
• What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
  I actually don’t have a bucket list. Any way the winds blows…
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  I wish I could communicate with dogs through their language of barking. I would like to have conversations with them by barking back and forth.

March 2022 – Laura Horacefield

Executive Administrative Assistant
Dean of Instruction for STEM, Arts and Humanities

A few words from her nominator:

“Laura is honest, trustworthy and well-respected by her peers. She is focused, able to see issues from multiple perspectives, gracious, and collegial. She holds herself to a high standard and leads by example, never asking another to take on a task that she herself would not do.”

Let’s get to know Laura a little better:

• What do you enjoy most about working at College of the Mainland?
  I love working with such a great group of people. Everyone here is so nice and genuinely cares about the students and our mission at COM. One of my passions is giving people the tools to better themselves and empowering them to accomplish their dreams. The COM community shares that passion with me and it’s one of the reasons I chose to come work here!
• What is one thing about yourself that most people at COM would not know?
  My parents lived in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia during the 90’s, right after the Gulf War. I am one of the few people that I know that has ever been there before, until recently people weren’t allowed in the country without a work visa. I have a love of their cuisine and I am always trying to find my favorite dishes here in Houston. My summers and winter breaks were spent there with my family for 8 years. That time in my life is one that I’ll never forget.
• What is your favorite TV show or movie?
  I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I’d have to say The Office. When I have downtime, I turn on the reruns and it always brings a smile to my face!
• What’s something that you hope to cross off your bucket list in the near future?
  To learn to be a better cook. I can bake because my grandmother taught me as a child, but I’m still learning how to cook! It may be something I never master, but I’m willing to try.
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  To wave a magic wand and be able to cure Alzheimer’s.