Congratulations to Michelle Booher-Poggi for being selected the Santa Rosa Junior College Employee of the Month for April 2012. Michelle has worked as the Staff Development Coordinator for over five years, and recently moved on to a new challenge within SRJC, as the new Coordinator of Schools Relations and Outreach.

“I want to honor the work that she has done,” said Kris Abrahamson, Dean III, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Michelle’s former supervisor. “Michelle has helped lead the development of pathways for professional development relevant to all employee groups, and ultimately, better prepared employees means better teaching and support services for students. Everyone who works with Michelle recognizes her incredible organizational skills and attention to detail. She is incredibly competent and reliable.  I can trust her judgment, and her follow through is impeccable.”

Alicia Jourdain, Administrative Assistant III in Career and Technical Education, added, “Michelle has handled her responsibilities as Staff Development Coordinator with a sense of grace and professionalism that is inspiring. She goes above and beyond the call of duty and has been a strong proponent of classified staff development. I have had the pleasure of working with her on the Professional Development Committee during her term as coordinator, and she has shown us how to work as a team in order to make PDA happen, though I think we’d all say that Michelle is truly the force behind PDA. She has also inspired me to be the best that I can be. The District is very lucky to have her—she rocks!”

Michelle has served on a wide variety of college service committees during her over 20 years at SRJC and held several positions including:  Scheduling Technician, Academic Affairs Technician, and Scheduling Technician, Senior at the Petaluma Campus.    When asked about the key to her success, Michelle responds, “I think being positive and willing to work collegially with others has been a key factor. I believe that my positive attitude is what originally got me hired back in 1990.” 

Although a busy mother of two daughters, she finds the time to volunteer with community organizations as well, such as Project Grad at Santa Rosa High, United Way and Sierra Service Project. Her hobbies and interests include walking, reading, singing with “Circle of Friends”, and she also is a self-appointed Francophile.  Michelle says that her parents, both retired educators, taught her a strong work ethic and organizational skills. Those parental gifts have paid off; her brother is an Associate Dean at Allen Hancock College, while Michelle’s identical twin, Marcia, works as an Administrative Assistant III in the SRJC Counseling department.

Michelle’s response to being nominated SRJC’s Employee of the Month: “It’s hard to describe the feeling! I’m honored to receive the award and grateful for the recognition.”

 

 

Page last revised on: May 3, 2012