Congratulations to Computer Studies Instructor Susan Jaderstrom for being selected as the Santa Rosa Junior College Employee of the Month for February 2012. Susan will be introduced at the Board of Trustees meeting by Dr. L. Jane Saldaña-Talley, Vice President, Petaluma campus and Robert Chudnofsky, Dean II, Instruction & Technical Services. She will be presented with an EOM plaque, gift vouchers from the Culinary Café, and season tickets to SRT theatre performances.

“Susan is a great example of an SRJC employee who very successfully bridges both Santa Rosa and Petaluma campus cultures in support of our students and in pursuit of programming excellence.  She has shown exemplary commitment to the Business Office Technology and Computer Science programs, and provides a high quality teaching and learning environment for both students and employees,” said Saldaña-Talley.

Susan is one of the founding faculty members of the Petaluma Campus, and began as an adjunct instructor in 1986 when the school was located in temporary buildings at the Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds. In 1991, she became a full-time faculty member in the Business Office Technology department in Petaluma. She has overseen the transition in her department from low-tech business practices, like using electric typewriters, to current technology-based curriculum and instructional methods.

“Susan quickly became a favorite of students, faculty colleagues, support staff and administrators with her warmth and caring attitude,” said Saldaña-Talley. “We are so fortunate to have someone of Susan’s caliber to see us through the transitions and growth into the campus we are today.”

Susan’s colleagues say she helps inspire students and build their self-confidence so they will be successful in the workforce. “Susan is an upbeat person who really motivates students and always helps them so they won’t give up,” said Shirley Proulx, a Petaluma campus scheduling technician who has worked with Susan for the past decade.

“Over the years she has developed a number of courses and certificate programs and she’s always very helpful to students and staff and is an all-around warm and caring individual,” added instructor Breck Withers, who has worked with Susan since 1999.  Susan is the author of seven computer applications textbooks, and two other publications widely used by educators and professionals nationally.  She is a past National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award winner, and recipient of numerous other honors, including the 2009 National Postsecondary Teacher of the Year award from the National Business Education Association. That same year, the SRJC Academic Senate gave her an award for excellence in its publications/fine arts/performing arts category.

Among Susan’s greatest challenges as an instructor have been staying abreast of continual changes in technology and adapting to new delivery methods of instruction. Susan said her greatest accomplishments at SRJC have been retraining and inspiring students to be productive employees.  She said people would be surprised to know that she “challenges myself to learn something scary or difficult before the beginning of each semester. I never want to forget what it is like to learn something new, and to feel unsure of myself and my skills.”  She adds, “I’ve helped students meet high standards and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment (perhaps for the first time in their lives). I love to see former students working in businesses throughout Petaluma.”

Susan, a native of Ohio, was raised in Iowa and attended Dana College and the University of Wyoming. She has a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in business education. Prior to joining SRJC, she taught at San Francisco State University, was a leadership consultant for the state of California, and was a business education program specialist for the Kansas Department of Education. 

Susan has been married for 25 years to her husband, Mark, and has a 22-year-old son, Ben, who graduated from San Diego State University last year with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  Susan is actively involved in the community and was one of the founders of Petalumans for Responsible Planning, a nonprofit group promoting public interest in regional land use planning.  For relaxation and exercise, Susan hikes or walks for at least an hour daily while listening to comedy podcasts.

Susan said she was “thrilled and humbled” to be selected as the February 2012 Employee of the Month. 

 

 

 

Page last revised on: February 2, 2012