NECC President Lane Glenn recently congratulated NECC’s 2017 first quarter employee recognition winners Deb LaValley, Cheryl Tine, and Tim Godzik.

Three Northern Essex Community College employees, Timothy Godzik of Danvers, Cheryl Tine of Groveland, and Deb LaValley of Amesbury, recently received the Employee Recognition Award for the first quarter of 2017.

The Employee Recognition Award recognizes the many and varied contributions of the college’s nearly 700 employees. Employees are selected each quarter based on recommendations from supervisors and co-workers. Recipients receive a $150 certificate to the restaurant or mall of his or her choice.

Godzik, who has worked at Northern Essex for two years, most recently as a store keeper in the campus operations and procurement department, was nominated by Deb LaValley, an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Success & Support Services. The nomination was supported by Sharon McManus, staff assistant in the center for professional development; and Opportunity Works employees Jamie Nadeau, Project SEARCH manager; and Megan Stone, Project SEARCH campus coordinator. NECC is a host site for Project SEARCH, an internship program for adults with cognitive disabilities.

LaValley wrote, “Tim always goes above and beyond to aid and assist not only employees, but our students. Tim sets the bar high when it comes to work standards.   He always goes about his day with a friendly, cooperative courteous manner. Tim’s way of working with Project Search Students is so amazing.  He always makes the student feel as a big part of the campus… In a world that can be so complex, it is so refreshing to see the kindness that exudes from Tim to others in a consistent way, every day.”

McManus concurred writing, “Tim works with our developmentally challenged workers through Project SEARCH with a patient and kind demeanor.  He is encouraging and thoughtful.”

Godzik earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Westfield State University in 2002.

For more than nine years Tine has worked at Northern Essex in a variety of roles most recently as associate director of enrollment services.

Tine was nominated by several co-workers including Alexis Fishbone, NECC director of financial aid, who wrote in her nomination, “Cheryl is someone who neither seeks out nor boasts about the amazing work she does ensuring that all of our students feel welcomed at the college. She oversees one of the busiest areas of the college, our Welcome Express and Processing Centers…She is the unsung hero who when she gets another responsibility or process to oversee just makes it work.  Most staff and faculty never see what goes into making someone a student here at the college, but she deftly handles all of the processes and ensures the smoothest possible course for our students and alumni.”

Her nomination was supported by Deb Naudzunas, statistician III in the Registrar’s Office, and Jill Palermo, administrative assistant in Enrollment Services.

Tine holds an associate degree from Mount Ida College.

Dr. Dawna M. Perez, dean of student success, nominated LaValley praising her work ethic. “… She is steadfast, reliable, and creative in her work. She will offer to help with any task whether within her department, on a committee on which she sits, or to help put together a college-wide event. And when she offers to help, you know you’re getting 100* from her—not just as a pair of hands, but someone who really thinks through the process, offers ideas and delivers on every promise. Deb is also quick with a smile, an ear for understanding, and supports our staff and students as if they were her own family… Without Deb, I couldn’t manage the juggling of so many projects, appointments, events and meetings—she is one step ahead…Deb is a consummate professional …She “presumes good will” in others, and projects good will on a daily basis.”

LaValley received a total of five nominations for the award. Noreen Fantasia, administrative assistant in the Career Connections & Internship Program; Ashley Moore, director of career and experiential education; Janel D’Agata-Lynch, civic engagement/service learning coordinator; and McManus all supported her nomination.

LaValley attended Burdett Business School. She completed NECC’s Leadership Academy in 2015.

For the last 18 years she has served on the Amesbury School Committee.