Lone Star College-CyFair’s Staff Excellence Award winners – Jo Anna Castorena, Joanie Dannenbaum, Willie Gordon, Debra Hughes and Laura Oswalt – are being recognized this spring as being a positive force on campus.
Castorena has been the Division Operations Specialist for the administrative team at LSC-Fairbanks Center since 2013.
“The relationships and connections I’ve made here at Lone Star College have brought many great opportunities my way,” said Castorena. “It’s a positive and rewarding atmosphere where I support the faculty and staff, and they equally support me. That kind of teamwork is empowering.”
Dannenbaum started at the Barker Cypress campus in 2006 as a part-time Business Specialist III for the Business Office. In 2013, she was promoted to Business Manager of Business Operations and now oversees the daily operations of the payment counter LSC-Cy-Fair.
“What I like best about working in the Business Office is interacting with students and co-workers,” said Dannenbaum. “I enjoy the chance to help students resolve issues in order to help achieve their goals.”
Gordon brought three decades of experience, including secretary, coordinator and office supervisor/manager positions, to LSC-CyFair in 2015. She serves as Staff Assistant I for the Division of Science, Math and Engineering.
“As I continue to build on the 35 years of previous experience working in higher education, I delight in having opportunities to offer assistance and service to our students, faculty, staff and visitors in any way I can,” said Gordon.
Hughes began at LSC-CyFair in 2009 as Administrative Assistant I to Vice President of Instruction. In 2014, she became the Division Operations Manager for the Division of Business and Communication Studies.
“What I like most about my job, is the people I work with who are all committed to excellence and to student success,” said Hughes.
Oswalt is LSC-CyFair’s part-time Staff Excellence Award winner. In addition to teaching in CFISD, Oswalt has served as lab coordinator for science classes at LSC-Cypress Center since 2014.
“I enjoy the positive and supportive environment at the LSC-Cypress Center and being able to help the faculty give the students the best experience possible in the lab classes,” she said.
These dedicated staff members will be among those recognized at system-wide and college-wide award events later this spring.
Late Start spring semester classes at LSC-CyFair are available. For information go to LoneStar.edu/late-start. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu.
