February 2025 Central Connection
January 31, 2025
Hays receives Outstanding Service Award
Andrea Hays of Hastings has received the 41st Annual Outstanding Service Award at Central Community College-Hastings.
The award is presented annually to a Hastings Campus employee who demonstrates exemplary service to the college.
Hays’ employment with CCC began in 2000 as residence life director at the Columbus Campus. In 2013, she transferred to the Hastings Campus to fill the position of activities director.
“Andrea brought vision and life to the activities role in Hastings, which had been previously filled by many different campus members in an unofficial capacity,” one nominator said.
In 2021, she became director of career and employment services.
“Andrea’s dedication to seeing students prepared for the workforce has pushed her to connect with programs in a more intentional way,” another nominator said. “She takes pride in ensuring that the career services department is aware of and offers the best situations for students and community partners.”
Hays earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Doane University and in sociology from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., and a master’s degree in management from Bellevue University. She also is a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) and Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP).
She is an active member of Employ Hastings; Revive Inc. Board of Directors; Delta Kappa Gamma; First Congregational Church; and CCC’s Graduation Committee, CARE Team, and the Food and Hygiene Pantry Steering Committee.
Board gains new members
The Central Community College Board of Governors installed three new members at its Jan. 16 meeting.
Michelle Broekemier of Grand Island was elected as the board’s at-large member. This is her second time on the board. She represented District 1 from 2021 until May 2023 when she moved out of the district. She holds an associate degree in practical nursing from CCC, an associate degree in long-term care administration from Southeast Community College and a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Bellevue University and is now pursuing an advanced degree in health care.
Dann Smith of Columbus was elected to represent CCC’s District 5, which includes Butler, Colfax, Nance, Platte and Polk counties. He is market president of Pinnacle Bank of Columbus. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and economics from Chadron State College.
Lynne Werner of Grand Island was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dan Quick, who was elected to the Unicameral. She represents District 4 which covers Hall County. She is an attorney with Business Owner Advisory Services, a division of First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO). She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a juris doctor degree from the Creighton University College of Law.
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| This year's League Excellence Award winners are (left to right, top row): Janis DeHaven, Paige Denman, Dan Gompert, (bottom row) Andrea Hays, Lucas Lumbra, Crystal Ramm and Brett Wells. |
Award reflects excellence
Seven Central Community College employees have received the 2024-25 League Excellence Award from The League for Innovation in the Community College.
The honorees were nominated by College President Dr. Matt Gotschall.
Janis DeHaven
Janis DeHaven, business technology instructor, has turned decades of industry experience into real-world examples in her classroom of how technology is used in business settings. She is an IC3 Authorized Educator, Microsoft Trainer and Educator certifications who has developed innovative and customized educational experiences for her students. She has encouraged both them and community members to attain Microsoft and QuickBooks certifications.
Paige Denman
Dr. Paige Denman, human services instructor, introduced the behavior technician certificate for students and professionals who work with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She created pathways by developing an addictions diploma and restructuring the chemical dependency and mental health advocate certificates. Her work with the University of Nebraska-Kearney led to a social work pathway for students who want an advanced degree.
Dan Gompert
Dan Gompert, information technology and services instructor, has demonstrated a commitment to innovation through his 30 years of teaching. He holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity and is a 20-year Certified Cisco Instructor who was an early adopter of the Cisco Networking Academy. A Cyber Skills for All grant from Microsoft and the American Association for Community Colleges allowed him to create and lead a high school cybersecurity camp.
Andrea Hays
Andrea Hays, career and employment services director, previously served as residence life director at CCC-Columbus and as student activities director at CCC-Hastings. In her current position, she provides collegewide leadership support for student career services, including an online job board that serves thousands of employers, alumni and students. She also has been an advocate and CCC leader for the statewide InternNE.
Lucas Lumbra
Lucas Lumbra, esports head coach, has demonstrated remarkable innovation in building the program into a powerhouse within just two years and overcoming the unique challenge of coordinating talent across four CCC locations. As the college’s first esports coach, he has led his teams to NJCAA national titles in Call of Duty: Cold War Gunfight 2x2 and 4v4. His leadership also led to national runner-up finishes in four other categories.
Crystal Ramm
Dr. Crystal Ramm, community and workforce education regional director, has played an instrumental role in the Ord Center’s growth. Her efforts have supported the Big Give to Valley County, which has raised funds for community education, youth summer camps and entrepreneurship programs. She has established a pollinator garden that also becomes an outdoor classroom and has served on the Connecting Young Nebraskans Steering Committee.
Brett Wells
Brett Wells, Scott Pathway director, oversees this new, first-in-the-nation program funded by the Walter Scott Jr. Family Foundation. He has provided leadership to dozens of Scott Pathway scholars and has helped with innovative retention strategies. He sets expectations of timeliness and accountability and engages college personnel to participate in such events as a summer bridge program that emphasizes leadership skills.
Service awards honor special anniversaries
Congratulations to the following full- and part-time Central Community College employees who completed special anniversaries in 2024:
Administrative Office
Twenty years: Tracy Watts, instructional design consultant.
Fifteen years: Mike Garretson, network administrator.
Ten years: Cyndi Hayes, purchasing technician; Joel King, vice president of administrative services; Krista Niemoth, purchasing buyer; and Jessica Rohan, grants director.
Columbus Campus
Thirty years: Dee Johnson, library services director, now retired.
Twenty-five years: Ed Ballweg, facilities management assistant director; Michelle Bentz, sociology instructor; Lisa Gdowski, financial aid director; Willy Kilgore, information technology services specialist; Beth Klitz, vice president of student success and enrollment management; Brenda Licari, information technology and systems instructor; Ronda Ryan, registration and assessment director; and Kim Severyn, custodian.
Twenty years: Janis DeHaven, business administration instructor; Kathy Ewers, English instructor; and Jami Olson, English instructor.
Fifteen years: Kathy Margheim, recruiting and admission technician.
Ten years: Kathy Fuchser, campus president; Brenda Preister, student development director; Susan Schoenhofer, Entrepreneurship Center assistant; Brenda Smejkal, community and workforce education administrative assistant; and Adam Whitmore, industrial technology instructor.
Five years: Brandon Bender, English instructor; Jamie Bennett, women’s soccer head coach; Ryan Coffey, building maintenance technician; Carley Foltz, Albion community education coordinator; Rick Grabo, industrial technology trainer and coordinator; Landon Hunt, welding technology instructor; Jennifer Jarecki, health instructor; Brenda McCarty, custodian; Alyssa Nickolite, career and employment services specialist; Craig Potthast, advanced manufacturing plastics trainer and coordinator; Stephanie Schaer, adult education instructor; Tina Schumacher, English instructor; and Caitlin Simon, women’s softball head coach.
Grand Island Campus
Thirty-five years: Linda Wilke Heil, history instructor.
Thirty years: Jim Kosmicki, English instructor; Jody Luce, academic education administrative assistant; Donna Moore, health sciences administrative assistant; and Margaret Williams, community and workforce education administrative assistant, now retired.
Twenty years: Courtney Lamberson, biological sciences instructor, and Connie Madison, learning center manager.
Fifteen years: Emily Gildersleeve, early college success coach; Marcie Kemnitz, campus president; and Michelle Setlik, associate dean of business.
Ten years: Meghan May, academic transfer specialist; Kelly Patterson, custodian; Kristina Pearson, mathematics instructor; and Amy Santos, paramedicine program director.
Five years: Katie Hodges, English instructor; Denise Kingery, nursing admissions adviser; Anna Payne-Polson, adult education coordinator; Janet Rasmussen, medical laboratory technician instructor; Hector Vasquez, custodian; and John Willmes, welding technology instructor.
Hastings Campus
Fifty years: Charles McGimpsey, custodian.
Thirty-five years: Brad Lang, agricultural sciences instructor.
Thirty years: Dan Gompert, information technology and systems instructor.
Twenty-five years: Randy Manning, diesel technology instructor, and Rebecca Skalka, community and workforce education administrative assistant.
Twenty years: Sherrie Dux-Ideus, library supervisor, and Brian Hoffman, associate dean of career and technical sciences.
Fifteen years: Troy Davis, advanced manufacturing design technology instructor.
Ten years: Amber Braun, student services administrative assistant; John Oberheide, automotive technology instructor; Amber Smart, custodian; Lacritia Welke, English instructor; and Erika Wolfe, associate dean of student success and enrollment management.
Five years: Taylor Carkoski, residence life coordinator; Mike Hoskins, auto body technology; Amy Jensen, residence life director; Beth Kavan, broadcasting instructor; Brian Keene, lead emergency medical services instructor; Twila Knehans, mathematics instructor; Dylan Krings, hospitality management and culinary arts instructor; Andrea Robinson, clinic instructor; Sandy Samuelson, community and workforce education regional director; David Schacht, HVAC technician; Taylor Schneider, energy technology instructor; Dani Schwinn, media arts instructor; and Kate Sinsel, English instructor.
Kearney Center
Ten years: Jordan Eisenmenger, financial aid director.
Five years: Kara Greenwalt, student and enrollment services director; Amy Hammond, English instructor; and Donna Pollat, health instructor.
Lexington Center
Fifteen years: Kory Cetak, employee training director.
Five years: Josh Brant, industrial technology coordinator and trainer.
Five years: Jennifer Chancellor, nursing instructor; Sharise Scherer, mathematics instructor; and Ruth Stewart, nursing instructor.
Employee news
Columbus Campus
Resigning from their positions are Vijendra Boken, math and physics instructor; Cari Henry, administrative assistant in the career and technical sciences department; and Lauren Schleif, counselor and prevention education coordinator.
Grand Island Campus
Mugahid Belil has joined the staff as a custodian.
Hastings Campus
Jessica Brock has joined the staff as an academic transfer specialist.
Rose Marie Griess, 83, of Spokane, Wash., died Nov. 28, 2024.
She was born Aug. 18, 1941, in Trenton to Wesley Irwin and Edna (Frakes) Fuqua. She married LaRayne Griess on Sept. 5, 1964. She earned an associate degree from CCC, where she taught culinary arts until her retirement in 1999. She was an active church and community member and volunteer.
Survivors include her husband, Jeff Bierman; daughter; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, son and three siblings.
Her ashes will be interred this summer in Sutton. Memorials may be given to the Mission Community Outreach Center of Spokane or the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department.
Kearney Center
Jerry Huismann has resigned as a construction instructor.