Supporting the success of Lone Star College-CyFair’s more than 24,000 students beyond the classroom are five dedicated employees recently honored with the college’s Staff Excellence Award.
Nominated by their peers and chosen as this year’s outstanding award honorees are full-time staff Devin Walton, Sandra Crockett, Michael Brukardt and Becca Stephenson and part-time staff Jessyca Aviles Lopez.
Walton joined LSC-CyFair’s Public Service, Health and Behavioral Science Division in 2023 as Division Operations Manager, after 6 years as a Technology Coordinator at the LSC System office. She enjoys collaborating with a dedicated and passionate group of coworkers whose collective efforts change lives.
“The sense of purpose I feel here is immense, knowing that together we are helping individuals achieve their goals,” she said. “And it’s fulfilling to be a part of an institution that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our students and community.”
Also working in Walton’s division, is Crockett, who went from a part-time administrative assistant at LSC-North Harris in the Spring of 2015 to part-time staff assistant in LSC-CyFair’s Academic Affairs that summer to her full-time administrative specialist position she’s held since Fall of 2015.
“I love my job and enjoy helping our students with goals to enter the public service industry - as medical assistants, firefighters, paramedics, first responders - to make a difference in our community,” she said. “This honor is just like winning a Grammy without singing.”
Stephenson, who worked 10 years at LSC-North Harris in various roles, joined LSC-CyFair as Manager of Student Outreach and Recruitment in 2021 and has taught EDUC 1300 as an adjunct since 2023.
““What I enjoy most about my job is the camaraderie and making an impact on students' lives,” she said. “The best part of my day is working directly with students - helping them grow, learn and imagine a brighter future.”
Brukardt began as a part-time tutor in 2010 at LSC-CyFair, while in graduate school at the University of Houston in studying space physics, and became the Academic Success Center’s (ASC) Tutoring Center Coordinator for Math and Science in 2022. Having been a student at LSC-Tomball (back in the 1990s when it was the North Harris Montgomery Community College District), and an experienced, graduate level tutor made him the ideal candidate for the coordinator position.
“I like tutoring,” he said. “In particular, the look when a student finally understands the concept that they have been having trouble understanding.”
Also working at the ASC as a part-time Language Lab Coordinator since 2022 is Lopez, who believes in treating everyone, employees, students and visitors alike, with respect, dignity and honor. In addition, she said she is delighted to be part of an amazing supportive community and work at such an aesthetic and top-notch campus.
“I get to interact with people from different ethnicities and age groups throughout the day giving directions, providing information and helping students, staff and professors with the services we offer in the labs,” Lopez said.
All these deserving award recipients are recognized at the campus and system level.