Opening Day

NOCE’s Opening Day is the annual back-to-school event for all faculty and staff. This is an event where colleagues gather to learn about institutional updates, celebrate employee recognition, and reconnect before the start of the new academic year.

2022 NOCE Opening Day

Friday, August 12, 2022

This year’s event is where the NOCE initiative leaders joined President Valentina Purtell in sharing exciting updates in the “State of NOCE” address. This also included: the introduction of new employees, employee service awards, the announcement of the 2021/22 NOCE Colleagues of the Year, photos ops, and promo items.

Employee Recognition

• 2023 NOCE Teacher of the Year

  

  Congratulations Caroline Kim!

  Caroline Kim, Adjunct Instructor for the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship Program, was selected as NOCE’s nominee for the 2023 Orange County Teacher of the Year. 

  Caroline started at NOCE in January of 2020. She has taught Beginning High, ESL Learning Center, and Citizenship Preparation regularly over the past two years, was also part of the faculty team that updated Citizenship Preparation to focus on Beginning or Intermediate/Advanced learners. Through her mentorship, more than a dozen instructors developed the technology skills and confidence needed to convert their class material to remote instruction. She also serves as an adjunct faculty representative on the NOCE Academic Senate. Caroline had the most nominations for OC Teacher of the Year, which were submitted by students, alumni, and colleagues. The words passionate, patient, kind, smart, and encouraging were used over and over to describe her.

  One student summed up perfectly Caroline’s dedication as a teacher: “During my [time] studying at NOCE, I have had several teachers. All of them are amazing, but Caroline Kim is just [a] unique teacher and personality…she knows the subject just excellent; she is so enthusiastic and optimistic, she can inspire students and make them more confident. And of course, she is always smiling and always in a good mood.” Along with other nominees from community colleges and K-12 districts, Caroline will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year celebration in November.
• 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year

  

  Congratulations Colleague of the Year Winners!

  Dr. Karen Bautista, Vice President of Instruction
  Dr. Karen Bautista has demonstrated outstanding leadership and foresight, especially through the pandemic shutdown and the move to launch online instruction. Dr. Bautista is responsive and puts the needs of students first. She offers kind words and affirmations, is available for mentoring, encourages staff, and empowers faculty. Dr. Bautista fearlessly led the charge into distance learning at NOCE. She is passionate about innovating and improving NOCE processes to serve students better. She participates in numerous training opportunities to better understand the benefits and challenges for both students and faculty to make more informed decisions. She is proactive and seeks to challenge the status quo with innovative solutions. Dr. Bautista is exceptionally knowledgeable and embodies lifelong learning, as demonstrated by her commitment to continually seeking out the latest research, new technology, and instructional best practices. She is often seen with a smile on her face and has a welcoming spirit, ready to support faculty and staff in cultivating their own passions to grow as educators. Congratulations to the 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year, Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Karen Bautista.

   

  Jennie Belknap, Adjunct Faculty Member in the Emeritus Program
  Jeannie Belknap loves and respects her students immensely. Her remarkable technology skills and effervescent personality takes her classes to the next level. Jeannie brings comfort, joy, love, curiosity, and interest to all her classes that she teaches in the Emeritus Program. Oftentimes in one class, Jeannie teaches students who are at a variety of ability levels. However, she can reach, teach, and relate to every single student. Her inclusivity makes her students feel seen and heard. She has always possessed the ability to incorporate technology in her lessons and sharing new technology with older adults is one of the many ways she continues to bring curiosity into her classrooms. She’s also happy to lend support to her fellow colleagues, sharing ideas on how they too can incorporate technology into lesson plans. Jeannie goes out of her way to bring her positive attitude to the various places she teaches in the community. She makes friends not only with her students but also with the workers at the Emeritus Program facilities. Congratulations to the 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year, Faculty Member in the Emeritus Program, Jeannie Belknap.
  

   

  Khanh Ninh, Counselor in the Counseling and Student Services Department
  Khanh Ninh is a phenomenal team player. When students need help, Khanh is thorough and detailed in explaining programs, resources, and next steps to students. She knows the ins and outs of program requirements and is responsive and timely in her communication. Khanh has provided stellar support throughout the pandemic and took additional, optional courses to increase her knowledge to serve students better in a remote setting. Her background in mental health and social services is always incredibly helpful when brainstorming ways to better support NOCE students. Khanh is eager to volunteer at events and on committees while also serving as the long-time Secretary for the NOCE Academic Senate. She is detail oriented, finding ways to organize information for the Academic Senate executive team and created presentations and informational sheets for her own department as they began to widen their scope of remote counseling services. Her level of empathy and compassion is stellar. She strives to be professional, prompt, helpful, and kind with students and colleagues. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her job stem from an innate desire to help students succeed. Congratulations to the 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year, Counselor in the Counseling and Student Services Department, Khanh Ninh.

   

  Katherine Pham-Le, Administrative Assistant III for the Office of Vice President of Student Services
  Katherine Pham-Le has developed a wide breadth of expertise supporting many departments to provide excellence in campus operations and delivery of services to students. She jumps in to assist wherever needed to ensure students are served first, including adjusting her schedule to cover check-in, following up with students to make sure they received the support needed, and facilitating communication across multiple departments. Katherine is active on NOCE and District committees and provides support to departments that do not have an administrative assistant. She uses her proficiency with technology to improve processes and procedures. Katherine is always willing to share her knowledge, collaborate, and train others on various software or organizational processes. As the resident expert in EMS, Katherine is instrumental with the new electronic parking permit and access card applications as well as the laptop loan program and RQ submissions. Last year, Katherine took on a larger leadership role in the Commencement and Student Success Event and many details related to the COVID-19 mandate. She is appreciated for her time and talents. Congratulations to the 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year, Administrative Assistant III for the Office of Vice President of Student Services, Katherine Pham-Le.

   

  Jessica Wong, Administrative Assistant for the Disability Support Services Program
  According to her boss, Jessica Wong is great at everything! She has amazing customer service skills and makes sure that students are connected quickly with needed services and supports. Jessica anticipates the needs of others and proactively problem solves, she has tremendous technology skills, and has implemented functionality changes that better serves students, program staff, and faculty across all NOCE programs. Her technology skills are sought after and, although time-consuming, help to increase communication and save time for others. She is a visionary related to the program’s database that enables counselors and staff to serve students and track data better. Jessica volunteers for everything and is happy to participate in all NOCE activities. Jessica’s role is to support the office, however she works with students every day. She reaches out to students who may be struggling and helps to guide them toward the resources needed to resolve their issues or simply listen and talk with them in her calm, friendly, and reassuring manner. Congratulations to the 2021/22 NOCE Outstanding Colleague of the Year, Administrative Assistant for the Disability Support Services Program, Jessica Wong.
• 2021/22 NOCE Tenured Faculty

  Megan Reeves

  Professor, Disability Support Services Program

  Megan Reeves started with North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) as an instructor for the Kids’ College & Teen Program in 2008 before becoming an hourly in the Disability Support Services (DSS) Program Office. Reeves held various staff positions in the NOCE DSS Program before being hired in September of 2018 as a full-time faculty member for the Disability Support Services Program. She currently serves as a professor teaching in the program’s Work Independence Self-Advocacy Education (WISE) classes at NOCE’s Wilshire Center in Fullerton.

  “I wanted to work at NOCE because it offered a program for students  with disabilities to give them a chance to participate in a postsecondary education and assist them in increasing their independence,” says Reeves. Before discovering NOCE, Reeves did not know that a program like NOCE’s DSS Program existed. However, once she learned about it, she knew that this was where she wanted to work.

  “Through navigating my education, it became clear that teaching was where I was meant to be,” says Reeves. “As I reflected on my prior life experiences, I realized that I enjoyed tutoring, volunteering in classrooms, and leading groups/classes for community organizations. I knew that teaching would allow me to help others realize their potential while gaining the skills and confidence needed to pursue their goals and dreams.”

  Once Reeves decided she wanted to become a teacher, she was determined to work with students with disabilities. Reeves had grown up alongside and supporting individuals with disabilities and had the privilege of working in special education classrooms in junior high and high schools as an elective.

  Reeves earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University.

  Reeves has had the pleasure of having a front-row seat to numerous student success stories. Many of her students believed they could not succeed at taking inclusive classes – a class that serves both neurotypical students and students with disabilities at the same time. However, with Reeves’ guidance and the students’ dedication, success is achieved nearly every day! “Students surprise themselves by succeeding in their inclusive classes on the first attempt! Moreover, several students work in competitive employment or volunteer in the community,” says Reeves proudly.

  Reeves has had many proud moments working with students at NOCE. “I think one of my proudest moments has been watching my students adapt and grow through the pandemic,” says Reeves. During the pandemic, she was worried about how her students would handle the transition to online and remote instruction. “My students and their families impressed me with their dedication to learning the skills needed to participate in online instruction,” says Reeves. “I was so happy to see all my students transition online, participate daily in their lessons and activities, and achieve their learning goals for the semester.”

  One of Reeves’ main goals at NOCE is to continue growing to meet the changing needs of our students and our community. “At NOCE, we are in the position to assist students in gaining the skills, knowledge, and confidence that they need to achieve success and help them set new goals once they reach their initial aspirations,” says Reeves. “We, too, must also continue learning to be equipped to support our students to the best of our abilities in order to help our students achieve their dreams.”

  Download a PDF version of the Tenured Faculty Brochure.
• New Employees

  2021/22 NOCE New and Promoted Employees

  First Name	Last Name	Title	Department/Division
  Jocelyn	Aponte	Administrative Assistant II	Career Technical Education, Anaheim Campus
  Yanett	Camarillo	Clerical Assistant I	English as a Second Language program, Anaheim Campus – PM
  Sandra	Chavez	Administrative Assistant II	English as a Second Language Program, Anaheim Campus
  Antionese “Annie”	Cotton	Student Services Coordinator	Career Technical Education, Anaheim Campus
  Juliana	Farina	Administrative Assistant I	Basic Skills, High School Diploma, and GED/HiSET Prep Program, Cypress Center
  Curtis	Galvez	IT Project Leader	Instructional Technology Services, Anaheim Campus
  Corneshia “Neshia”	Jenkins	Special Projects Coordinator	COVID Task Force, President’s Office, Anaheim Campus
  Lizbeth	Juarez	Clerical Assistant I	English as a Second Language Program, Anaheim Campus – AM
  Caroline	Kim	Special Projects Manager – ESL Community Engagement	English as a Second Language, Anaheim Campus
  Nubia	Ku Chi	Instructional Assistant	English as a Second Language Program, Wilshire Center
  Erica	Lowe	Instructional Assistant	Basic Skills, High School Diploma, and GED/HiSET Prep Program, Anaheim Campus
  Denise	Mora	Career Center Coordinator II	Career Technical Education, Anaheim Campus
  Roland	Pascua	Special Projects Coordinator – Student Laptop Loan Program	Instructional Technology Services
  Yolanda	Ponce	Instructional Assistant	English as a Second Language Program, Anaheim Campus
  Sylvia	Somiari	Instructional Assistant	English as a Second Language, Anaheim Campus
  Courtnie	Voet	Student Services Specialist	Disability Support Services Program, Anaheim Campus
• Service Awards

  2022 NOCE Employee Service Award Recognition

  First Name	Last Name	Title	Department/Division	Years of Service
  Roxanne	Abutin	Student Services Technician	Counseling and Student Services	15
  Dr. Karen	Bautista	Vice President, Instruction	Vice President, Instruction Office	5
  Sammie	Brito	Security Officer	Campus Safety	15
  Jennifer	Carey	Instructor, Basic Skills	Basic Skills Program	5
  Jeri	Castro	Facilities Custodian I	Wilshire Center	15
  Sandra	Chavez	Administrative Assistant II	English as a Second Language Program	5
  Kerrie	Cornell	Administrative Assistant II	Lifeskills Education Advancement Program	5
  Deepali	Dave	Accounting Specialist	Administrative Services	20
  April	Fante	Manager	Disability Support Services Program	15
  Curtis	Galvez	IT Project Leader	Instructional Technology Services	5
  Dr. Adam	Gottdank	Director	Disability Support Services Program	15
  Rae Lynn	Holguin	Admissions & Records Technician	Cypress Center	20
  Leslie	Jackson-Reed	Administrative Assistant II	NOCE Basic Skills Program	15
  Gary	Jimenez	Counselor	Counseling and Student Services	5
  Cathy	Johnson	High School Records Technician	Student Records	20
  Cathy	Mang	Instructor	English as a Second Language Program	15
  Mary Jo	Marvulli	Admissions & Records Technician	Anaheim Campus	20
  Mary Margaret	Moscoso	Admissions & Records Technician	Wilshire Center	5
  Khanh	Ninh	Counselor	Counseling and Student Services	15
  Lily	Park	Admissions & Records Specialist	Wilshire Center	5
  Deborah	Perkins	Director	Counseling and Student Services	15
  Katherine	Pham-Le	Administrative Assistant III	Vice President, Student Services Office	5
  Valentina	Purtell	President	President’s Office	20
  Lara	Rofman	Job Developer	Disability Support Services Program	5
  Regina	Russell	Administrative Assistant II	California Adult Education Program	5
  Julie	Schoepf	Executive Assistant III	President’s Office	20
  Erin	Sherard	Instructor, Parenting	Lifeskills Education Advancement Program	5
  Alli	Stanojkovic	Instructor	Disability Support Services Program	5
  Dr. Kimberley	Stiemke	NC Instructor	Basic Skills Program	5
  Ayano	Suzuki	Testing & Assessment Specialist	English as a Second Language Program	5
  Kim	Tang	Manager	Career Technical Education Program	5
  Edwin	Teh	Instructional  Aide, High School Diploma Program	Basic Skills Program	5
  Martha	Torres-Gutierrez	Vice President, Student Services	Vice President, Student Services Office	20
  Dr. Harpreet	Uppal	Senior Research & Planning Analyst	Wilshire Center	5
  Matt	Van Gelder	Instructor	Disability Support Services Program	5

NOCE Committees & Workgroups

Visit the Committees and Workgroups webpage for all the information for each committee and workgroup meeting at NOCE.