Congratulations to Megan Lowry-Reed, Bookstore Technician, for being selected Santa RosaJunior College Employee of the Month for November 2009. Megan will be introduced at the November Board of Trustees Meeting by her supervisor Lorraine Fazzolare, Bookstore Director, and will be presented with an EOM plaque, season tickets to SRT performances, giftvouchers from the Culinary Café, and other mementos from coworkers. “Megan goes above and beyond in working with students, staff, coworkers, district employees, and vendors. She is incredibly patient and helpful, and is always willing to assist people with whatever they need,”Lorraine says.

Megan’s key responsibilities include ordering trade and nursing reference books, tracking department charges, and invoicing financial aid programs. She applies a variety of skills to accomplish these multifaceted tasks with timeliness and efficiency, including strong organizational skills, effective research and tracking ability, and timely and efficient problem solving of multiple activities simultaneously.  “Megan uses her skills to ensure that students and departments receive timely, accurate recommendations and information so they may reach their educational and work goals and utilize available resources to maximum effectiveness,” says Anthony Martinez, Assistant Director, Bookstore.

According to her coworkers, Megan consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to the College and students: “She offers a kind face to students during one of their first and often stressful moments on campus - first time students, single parents, and financial aid students.” She has a marvelous rapport with students in various programs and also with students on campus with special needs,” says Lorraine. Her outstanding service to the diverse customers is an important asset to a busy Bookstore: “Megan is always happy to deal with people and problems in the Bookstore. She is helpful, friendly, and glad to jump in and assist people,” says Lorraine. Tony adds, “Megan’s strong attention to detail, her patience and understanding with even the most challenging customer service situations, and her tenacious thoroughness offer students and departments the highest level of service every day. Whenever there are problems or concerns, we can always count on Megan to consistently meet issues head on to achieve customer satisfaction.”

Megan also initiates innovative approaches to Bookstore activities: “She is relentlessly creative in planning Bookstore events,” Anthony says. “She continually looks for ways to broaden the scope of Bookstore offerings, both in the Bookstore and beyond.” Megan has taken on the extracurricular and ‘beyond campus’ outreach events with very positive outcomes, including the book club on campus, children’s readings on Friday mornings, and the annual Bookstore’s Holiday Open House. “She also organizes the Annual Open House with Bookstore Band and other musicians that include college deans, faculty, classified staff, and students,” Lorraine adds.

Born in San Diego, Megan grew up in Sebastopol where she attended Analy High School. After earning an associate in arts degree at SRJC, Megan taught music at a private school in Idaho. In 2002 she was hired by SRJC as a Bookstore Account Clerk, Bookstore Assistant, and, currently, Bookstore Technician.

When asked why she believes she has been so successful at SRJC, Megan responds, “My ability to keep an open mind and stay positive through difficult times, and also remembering that everyone has a bad day now and then.” She identifies her greatest accomplishment at SRJC as when she coordinated the implementation of the Bookstore’s computerized financial aid system, which had previously been handled manually: “This has greatly improved our ability to assist the students in achieving their educational goals and obtaining study materials with their financial aid.” She adds that her greatest challenge has been “Explaining Bookstore policies and procedures to our customers who may not at first understand the reason for them.” What she likes most about her position, “My coworkers, the beautiful campus, and the books!” What may surprise others most about her job is that Megan organizes the Bookstore’s Annual Holiday Open House. “I get to jam with fellow musicians on campus … and it’s such a blast! I also really enjoy the planning involved in our author book readings, getting to meet interesting authors who I have admired, and learning more about the writing process. Every Friday we also enjoy children’s book readings.”

At SRJC Megan has been involved in a number of SRJC hiring committees, but outside of work she especially enjoys photography, gardening, reading, and spending time with her husband Edward, ten-year-old son Quinn, and two-year-old daughter Isabella.

Megan’s response to being name SRJC’s Employee of the Month: “Wow! Are you sure? Seriously, I am truly honored. I absolutely love working at SRJC.” Congratulations, Megan, for being nominated SRJC’s Employee of the Month! 

 

Page last revised on: November 12, 2009