Raider Excellence Awards
The Foundation is proud to honor the faculty and staff of Seminole State College for their dedicated efforts in creating the best possible learning environment for students and continually maintaining a standard of excellence.
The Foundation recognizes achievements at the College through Endowed Teaching Chairs, Faculty Excellence awards, and the following:
- Raider Excellence Award
- Celebrates employees and a department who consistently deliver exceptional results, foster a professional and inspiring work environment, and embody Raider spirit through critical thinking, continuous learning, and intellectual curiosity.
- Raider Synergy & Collaboration Spotlight Award
- Honors a team that leads with purpose, collaborates across the College and community, and strengthens student success and campus operations. Their innovation and teamwork create a welcoming, thriving educational environment.
- Includes a perpetual trophy passed on annually.
- Raider Rising Star Award
- Recognizes a new employee who stands out early through initiative, creativity, and excellence. This rising star sets a high standard with integrity, openness, and a passion for learning.
- Janet Balanoff Catalyst Award
- Celebrates an individual who sparks progress and unity, leads with empathy and vision, and inspires others to embrace change. Like Rally, they energize teams with purpose and courage.
- Raider Impact 2030 Award
- Honors someone who goes above and beyond by aligning their work with the College’s strategic goals. Through innovation and dedication, they make a lasting impact and inspire others to do the same.
For more information, please visit the Human Resources website Human Resources Employee Recognition.
2026:
Winners will be announced at the March 2026 Convocation
Pathfinder and Career Service Excellence Award
With the new program of Raider Excellence started, we do want to acknowledge and continue to celebrate the recipients of our previous awards.
2024 Recipients:
- Employees:
- Deborah "Debbie" Lynch -Director of Counseling and Advising
- Rori Hoppe - Associate Vice President, Enterprise Systems
- Erik Schoneck - Senior Systems Administrator, Technology Applications
- Department:
- Social Sciences
- Dr. Baboucar Jobe - Academic Dean
- Social Sciences
- Community:
- Duke Energy
- Janet Balanoff Catalyst for Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award:
- Michael Mendoza - Professor, English
2023 Recipients:
- Employees: Dalia Fox, Geoffrey Nelson, Lindsay McGuire
- Department: Campus Safety and Security
- Community: Orlando Health South Seminole
- Janet Balanoff Catalyst for Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award: Diana Campbell
2022 Recipients:
- Employees: Dr. Maya Byfield, Dr. Michele Cuomo, Caroline Walkover
- Department: College Libraries
- Community: Universal Orlando
- Janet Balanoff Catalyst for Excellence in Equity and Diversity Award: Allison Walker
2021 Recipients:
- Employees: Elaine Caggiano, Cheryl Knodel, Dr. Geraldine Perez
- Department: Arts and Communication
- Community: Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO)
2020 Recipients:
- Employees: Melina Abreu, Michael McCurdy, Brittany Resmann
- Department: eLearning
- Community: Seminole County Office of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health, Seminole County
2019 Recipients:
- Employees: Chris Lemm, Ernesto Maldonado, Turi Christensen
- Department: Curriculum, Credentialing and Academic Scheduling
- Community: Heart of Florida United Way and Suntrust
2018 Recipients:
- Employees: Ashley Maddox, Joseph Huston, Dr. Mark Morgan
- Department: Media Services, Computing Services
- Community: Wendy Brandon, Former Seminole State Trustee
2017 Recipients:
- Employee: Tracy Harbin
- Department: Facilities Services - Project Management and Environmental Health & Safety
- Community: Brenda Carey, Seminole County Commissioner, District 5
2016 Recipients:
- Employee: Dr. Geoffrey Fortunato
- Department: Academic Advising & Counseling
- Community: Wayne M. Densch Charities
2015 Recipients:
- Employee: Brenda Thacker
- Department: Academic Success Center/STAR Center
- Community: Addition Financial
2014 Recipients:
- Employee: Deborah Richard
- Department: Biological Science
- Community: The Weldons, Seminole State's founding family
2013 Recipients:
- Employee: Jacquelyn Thompson
- Department: Grants
- Community: City of Altamonte Springs
2012 Recipients:
- Employee: Les Lusk
- Department: Mathematics
- Community: Orlando Magic Youth Foundation
2011 Recipients:
- Employee: Ana Benitez
- Department: Arts and Communication
- Community: Dr. Bill Vogel, superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools
2010 Recipients:
- Employee: Carole Williams
- Department: Heathrow Construction, Engineering and Design
- Community: Wharton-Smith, Inc.
2009 Recipients:
- Employee: Christine Broeker
- Department: Nursing Department
- Community: Dede Schaffner
2008 Recipients:
- Employee: Jackie Dean
- Department: Honors Department
- Community: Walt Griffin and Anna-Marie Cote of Seminole County Public Schools
2007 Recipients:
- Employee: Patty Elliott
- Department: Distance Learning Department
- Community: Rick Lee and Verdell Pugh Horne
2006 Recipients:
- Employee: Sherry Jenkins
- Department: Educational Services Department
- Community: Billy Raley
2005 Recipients:
- Employee: Jan Gerrity
- Department: Maintenance (Building Operations/Custodial/Grounds)
- Community: R.T. Milwee (posthumous)
2004 Recipients:
- Employee: Lucy Soto-Clowney
- Department: College Relations and Marketing
- Community: Central Florida Auto Dealers Association, Inc. (CFADA)
2003 Recipients:
- Employee: Nelda Malm
- Department: ABE/GED Department
- Community: Paul Haggerty
2002 Recipients:
- Employee: Dottie Paishon
- Department: Institutional Research
- Community: Art Grindle
2001 Recipients:
- Employee: Arthur Aponte
- Department: LRC/Library Services Staff
- Community: Owen Wentworth and High Tech Corridor
2000 Recipients:
- Employee: Sherry Jenkins
- Department: Grounds and Maintenance
- Community: Lee P. Moore and Mrs. Altermese Smith Bentley, and the Community Improvement Association
1999 Recipients:
- Employee: Geneva Duarte
- Department: Computing and Telecommunications Services
- Community: Larry Stewart
1998 Recipients:
- Employee: Kenna Noone
- Department: Automotive Technology Department and Print Shop
- Community: Randy Berridge and High Tech Corridor
2024:
- Full-time:
- Edith Morales - Grants Special Projects Coordinator
- Michael Martz - Plumber
- Part-time:
- Maaha Yusufali - Library Public Services Assistant
2023:
- Full-time:
- Linda O' Donnell - Administrative Assistant III
- Esperanza Pardo - Testing Support Specialist
- Part-time:
- Lottie Washington - Office Supervisor II
2022:
- Full-time:
- Beverly Smith
- Vonda Bridges
- Part-time:
- David Spencer
2021:
- Full-time:
- Susan Gibson
- David Haskins
- Part-time:
- Joshua Cooper
- Joshua Cooper
2020:
- Full-time:
- Wayne Ambrose
- Julie Knott
- Part-time:
- Lauren Thompson
2019:
- Full-time:
- Arlene Gonzalez
- Myrna Townsley
- Part-time:
- Jemma Collins
2018:
- Full-time:
- Lauren Bender
- Rosemary Falk
- Part-time:
- Jessica King
2017: Dianne Eldred and Kimberly McKinnon
2016: Renee Templeton
2015: Jimmy McLaughlin, Orlando Carroll and James Bickham
2014: James Henry and Shelley Herter
2013: Derek Demeter and Leona Jones
2012: Simoni Gannon
2011: Lee Patrizzi and Beatriz Sanabrja
2010: Debra Digioia and David Esworthy
2009: Eve Hudson and Rhonda Thacker
2008: Rosalie Hardy and Robin Parker
2007: Ken Meadows and Kathryn "Kackie" Wilkins
2006: Rene Butters and Ron Parker
2005: Linda Cowels and Eve Grey
2004: Molly Dykes, Anne Humphery and Beverly Sjoblom
2003: Diana Dillon
2002: Liz Lawson
2001: Maureen Tremel and Elaine Iannelli
2000: Jan Gerrity and Ed Langolf
1999: Bill Jordan and Claudia Duncan