Each year the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College community celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding staff members. These awards recognize staff excellence in student engagement, job skills, leadership and performance above and beyond daily responsibilities.
SMWC President Dottie King, Ph.D., with Kim LaComba
Carolyn J. Mock Staff Excellence Award
This award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates job knowledge and skills above and beyond normal responsibilities, provides excellent customer service, exhibits creativity and innovative thinking in meeting challenges, and displays respect and enthusiasm toward students and colleagues. Mock, an administrative assistant, served The Woods as a strong leader and as an advocate for staff development. The award is named in her honor.
Kim LaComba, director of the learning resource center, is this year’s recipient. She continuously seeks new opportunities to better serve students. In less than three years at The Woods, she expanded services to include online tutoring for distance students, previously unavailable to them; and obtained grant funding to provide more resources to students and faculty for instruction.
La Comba serves on the Academic Support Team, Military Friendly Advisory Board and other committees and task forces. She is a guide and mentor for student workers, holding them to the highest level of professionalism and courtesy.
She exemplifies the spirit of The Woods by discovering innovative and creative ways of overcoming barriers and bringing success to the program. Described as helpful, professional, innovative, determined and focused by her peers, students simply said, “You rock!”
King with Kathi Kortz
Outstanding Staff Award
The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes staff members for going above and beyond normal responsibilities, and for exhibiting significant dedication to their profession.
Kathi Kortz, assistant registrar for information systems, is the recipient of the Outstanding Staff Award. Her hard work and dedication make her an essential part of The Woods. She has served the College in multiple capacities, including committees such as the Staff Development and Staff Steering Committees. Often called upon to provide accurate information in a timely manner, Kortz is known for her outstanding customer service skills and willingness to assist all departments. She enhances the quality of work life in ways that make a substantial difference for her colleagues.