South Plains College announced its 2026 Employee Service awards to the vast staff that makes the institution a bright light in higher education and leadership.
Serving from five to 40 years, their dedication is evident each year as the school grows, offering associate degrees, certifications and vocational education to not only Texas students and residents, but many arriving from out of state.
Recipients of the Five-Year Service Award - Dr. Serena Mangano, Callie Nations, Micala Epperson, Stephanie Gonzalez, Abbey Whatley, Ashley Davis and Gregory Ramzinski, Tyler Brinson, Mark Walsh, Jonathan Sullivan, Dr. Chris Trobridge, Bryan Ramirez, Michael Bingham, Skyla Maddox, Zach Pauda, Jeb Wilcox, Kourtney Brosius, Laura Bustos, Chris Edens, Jill Fowler, Taylor Guesnier, Andrew Homan, Petra Howard, Dr. Taek Hyun Jang, Becki Johnson, Jessica Lawrence, Irma Luna, Joanna Perez, Stefan Ramone, Miran Rivera, Janet Ross and Hollan Scrivner.
Recipients of the 10Year Service Award - Jody Drennan, Stephanie Anchondo, Krisha Hoelscher, Audrey Trull and Christa Henley, Dr. Timothy Holland and Dylan Parsons, Enrique Escamilla, Dr. Ryan Gibbs, Mark Wittie, Camy Brunson, Erica Castillo, Dr. Van Howell, Hilary Nixon, Roy Perez, Dr. Amanda Rakhshandeh and Stephen Sanders.
Recipients of the 15Year Service Award - Nickie Halbakken, Robin Coler and Danielle Castillo, Yolanda Salgado, Shalyn Slape, Kristin Bingham, Brant Farrar, Paul Landsman, Jason Groves, Vanessa Robison and Christy Rocha.
Recipients of the 20Year Service Award - Latha Tucker, Sarah Thompson, Lissa Sharp, Gregory Cook, Mark Wallney, Jeremiah Denning and Donna Horne-Ham.
Recipients of the 25Year Service Award - Traci Sanders, Eliza Longoria, Jennifer Trusty and Kelly Ufford, John Lopez, Mackinzee Escamilla, Gary Ham, Dr. Patrick Logue, Dr. Gary Hudson, Manuel Cedillo, Thomas Payton, Dr. Alicia Barr, Dr. Sandra Carter, Jesse Day, Ema Maldonado, Dale Robison and Jay Hoes.
Recipients of the 30Year Service Award - Cary Marrow and Dee Anna Ninemire.
Recipients of the 35Year Service Award - Kathy Lewallen, Rebecca Zamora, Julie Gerstenberger and Dave Cleavinger.
Recipient of the 40-Year Service Award - Mike Box, chairman of the SPC Board of Regents.
Additionally, South Plains College honored three non-faculty employees with an Employee Excellence Award at its annual Employee Banquet on May 7.
The Employee Excellence Award recognizes nonfaculty employees who have demonstrated exemplary, student- focused service to the College that makes a difference in achieving institutional goals and objectives. Employees are nominated for the award by other employees and are recommended for the award by a selection committee composed of previous recipients.
Recipients included Veronica Garcia, custodian, received the Employee Excellence Award for Maintenance and Student Housing Personnel; Vanessa Olivo, enrollment coordinator, received the Employee Excellence Award for Classified Personnel; and Miranda English, counselor, received the Employee Excellence Award for Support Services Personnel.