Let's talk business: Pueblo Community College names employees of the year

Pueblo Community College has named four employees as its 2022 employees of the year.

Recipients are part-time instructor Tim Brotherton, classified staff member Alejandra de Anda, administrative professional Kari Monack and faculty member Johanna Parkhurst.

Brotherton has been a part-time early childhood education and political science instructor at PCC since 2009. He is known for his smile and positive attitude and students and colleagues emphasize his friendliness and willingness to help as two things that set him apart.

In fall 2022, PCC experienced a significant increase in its number of social science classes. Brotherton immediately jumped in to cover additional courses in history and political science, ensuring that students would be able to take the classes they needed.

De Anda is described as "the glue that holds the Pueblo Corporate College department together." As manager of the department, she has established herself as one whose motivation, helpful attitude and knowledge are integral to the department. Among her current and past responsibilities are coordinating all online training programs, overseeing the annual Kids College program and developing standard operating procedures.

One corporate college instructor described a problem he had with an early-morning class — a situation that made it necessary for him to phone de Anda at 5 a.m. Not only did she answer the call, she solved the problem before the class began at 6 a.m.

Monack has been a key part of PCC’s recruitment department since 2014. The Pueblo native began working at the college as an administrative assistant and currently works as a program assistant living by her motto, "Tell a student what you can do for them, not what you can't do for them."

Known for her follow-through and commitment to improvement, Monack helps with every phase of recruitment, from developing email communications to coordinating events and working with PCC’s student ambassadors. As a 2016 PCC graduate, she has an additional level of knowledge to share with colleagues and prospective students.

Parkhurst has wanted to be an English teacher since she was a child growing up on a small dairy farm in Vermont where she would instruct the cows in reading and writing, according to her parents. She joined PCC in 2017 and is co-writer and co-administrator of the Teaching Excellence Grant that is dedicated to closing equity and inclusion gaps in PCC curricula and teaching methodology.

Parkhurst, "is the definition of faculty of the year,” wrote one of her colleagues. “Her courses are well-organized and mix challenging material with loving support for students — she frequently reaches out to staff and administration to find help for students in need.”

The Colorado Community College System will honor the employees of the year from all 13 community college schools at a statewide event in the spring.

Sangre de Cristo Community Care names new CEO

Melinda Egging has been named the new CEO for Sangre de Cristo Community Care, which provides hospice, home health and palliative services across southern Colorado.

Egging is a 20-year hospice veteran who began with Sangre de Cristo Hospice in Pueblo.

“I am so thrilled to be part of Sangre de Cristo Community Care, a wonderful nonprofit organization thathas always been dear to me,” Egging said. “It is a privilege to return to Pueblo to serve both urban and ruralcommunities.”

Sangre de Cristo Community Care offers a 10-bed, freestanding hospice inpatient center and has offices inPueblo, Cañon City, La Junta, Trinidad and Walsenburg.

Egging also serves on the board of the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado.

Latino Chamber to host Family Friendly Initiative seminar

The Latino Chamber of Commerce, 215 S. Victoria Ave., and the Pueblo Department of Public Health & Environment are set to host a free Family Friendly Initiative Seminar from 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 22.

Business owners will learn what the Family Friendly Initiative is and how their businesses can incorporate Family Friendly objectives, increase employee retention and more. The seminar will be held in person at the Latino Chamber office, however, there also will be a virtual option available via Zoom.

For details, visit pueblolatinochamber.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Community College names top employees and more business news