Green and Gold Awards

Congratulations to Lisa Brantley as the 2013 Outstanding Staff Award winner for five or fewer years of service at Parkland College!

Working within Technical Services in Parkland’s Library, Lisa Brantley routinely works with a wide variety of students, colleagues and outside vendors. To all of them she is known for her patience, reasonability and kindness in the face of sometimes trying circumstances, as well as being “innovative and tireless in her approach” to the tasks of her position.

Lisa’s supervisor applauds her leadership role in the complete overhaul of the way the library handles the materials withdrawn from its collection. In taking on the challenge,  Lisa acquired the skills and expertise to investigate different approaches to de-accessioning. The result is an entirely new system for which she “devised, inaugurated, and now runs an online store whose proceeds directly benefit the library’s book budget.” Additionally, she organizes and presides over the twice yearly library book sale in the College Center. Her supervisor attributes the event’s success to her leadership and enthusiasm, saying, “Like any good leader, she won’t delegate to another any task she wouldn’t be willing to perform herself. She leads by example and her leadership is the more powerful for that.”

A true Parkland success story, Lisa started her college career here as a non-traditional student and  provider for two children. Though there were several times when things got challenging and she wanted to quit, she remembers two Parkland employees who, “with only brief conversations made [her] feel important and valued.” Those conversations stuck with her and urged her towards her degree at Parkland, a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, and now the pursuit of a master’s degree from  Franklin University.

Lisa is an powerful example of a continuous learner, not only through her pursuit of higher degrees but in her participation at the Center for Excellence, the Parkland Leadership Conference, and seminars on library-specific topics. Additionally, Lisa contributes to the college as a member of the Wellness Team and in her recent election to the position of Treasurer of the Professional Support Staff Association.

Lisa’s commitment to service and learning set a standard for excellence at Parkland and make her truly deserving of this award. Congratulations, Lisa!

Congratulations to Ellen Saveley as the 2013 Outstanding Staff Gold Award winner for six or more years of service at Parkland College!  

In her role as  the Department Secretary in Health Professions, Ellen is the first contact for many students and faculty. Though her days are filled with endless interruptions, her colleagues praise her welcoming demeanor and the “grace and poise” with which she meets any and all challenging situations. Ellen’s supervisor comments that she consistently communicates in a professional and pleasant manner even in the most difficult situations, adding "Ellen has a way of diffusing anger and conveying helpfulness and kindness.” She has even been known to drive students to the H Wing on Mattis when they erroneously got off the bus at the main campus!

Ellen not only handles much of the work that makes the Health Professions department run smoothly, she works closely with student workers as a mentor, encouraging independence and aiding their accomplishments at Parkland and beyond. Among the success stories of her student workers are a University of Illinois graduate in Early Childhood Education; a student whose goal was to be an advocate for women’s issues and recently earned a master’s degree and works in a women’s shelter in Boston; a graduate of the Office Professional program at Parkland who is now the manager of the H Wing facility; and a 2012 Prof Scholarship recipient.  Their success, and that of many other students Ellen has worked with over the years, is evidence of the leadership and development she inspires.

Throughout her time at Parkland, Ellen has been an EEO for multiple search committees, has served as a notary for the college, and has helped to organize functions for the yearly Veterinary Conference. She regularly attends sessions and training through the Center for Excellence to keep up with the changing demands of technology and the college.

A continuous theme in comments from Ellen’s colleagues is the quiet, understated way that Ellen goes about her work. According to her supervisor, Ellen does not “brag in any way. One must watch or listen carefully to see, hear, and understand what is happening. Ellen first and foremost cares about serving, she cares about people, and she cares about doing a good job.” She is an example of servant leadership and demonstrates every day what it means to lead and make a difference from any position within the college.

Congratulations, Ellen, on this well-deserved award!