Celebrating-Service-Excellence-and-a-Caring-Campus.php

Celebrating Service, Excellence, and a Caring Campus

  • Staff
  • 09/11/2026

This fall, Rock Valley College celebrated the dedication and accomplishments of 50 employees during its annual Professional Development Day on September 8.

30 year employees with RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman

RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman (center) with 30-year anniversary honorees Professor Miki Bacino (left) and Professor Thomas Clark (right)

The event recognized employees for years of service and awards of excellence, while also highlighting RVC’s ongoing commitment to creating a caring and supportive campus community through its Caring Campus initiative.

An integral part of this fall tradition is recognizing and appreciating the exceptional individuals who contribute to RVC’s success each day. This year’s honorees represent the dedication, service and care that help make RVC a strong community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s honorees:

  • Samantha Digate, Rookie of the Year 
  • Nathan Talan, Employee of the Year 
  • Dean Takeisha Lambert, Leader of the Year 

Those recognized for five years of service included: 

  • Officer Scott Brooks ​
  • Carrie Gulbrandsen ​
  • Jon Devereueawax​
  • Cindi Tobin​
  • Allison Kaberg ​
  • Jose Galarza Galarza  ​
  • Bea Miller ​
  • Susan Maragi​
  • Sarah Russell​
  • Aaron Clinton​
  • Catherine Buerger​
  • Stephanie Lacny​
  • Craig Baker​
  • Travis Vanderhayden​
  • Kevan Watkins​
  • Keith Barnes​
  • Patricia Gutierrez ​
  • Jennifer Freund​
  • Officer John Hoeksema​

Honorees for ten years of service included: 

  • Nancy Perez-Renteria​
  • Jennifer Kunkel​
  • Jaime Irwin​
  • Nate Talan​
  • Amanda Zika​

Those honored for fifteen years of service included: 

  • Jessica Peck​
  • Caroline Jones​
  • Greg Heckman​
  • Rebecca Erickson​
  • Heather Snider

Those honored for twenty years of service included: 

  • Jennifer Thompson ​
  • Joana Rosas-Moreno ​
  • Sonia Medrano ​
  • Amanda Smith ​
  • Suzanne Miller ​
  • Jerry LaBuy ​
  • Yvonne Busker​

Those honored for twenty-five years of service included: 

  • Jennifer Lindsey​
  • Joseph Haverly​
  • Catherine Check​
  • Julie Hernandez​
  • Tim Spielman​
  • Beth Ingle​
  • Paul McCombs ​
  • Scott Fustin​

Those honored for thirty years of service included: 

  • Miki Bacino​
  • Thomas Clark​

​Those honored for thirty-five years of service included: 

  • Professor Theresa Gilbert​

Congratulations to all our 2026 RVC honorees!

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