Hancock Honors 12 Retiring Faculty

MAY 22, 2023-- Allan Hancock College bid a fond farewell to 12 retiring employees who contributed a combined 261 years of service to the college during an in-person recognition ceremony on May 19.  

This year’s honored retirees included employees who spent decades serving Hancock students, as well as faculty and staff members who worked to support students in attaining their educational goals.  

“These individuals worked tirelessly to change the odds for our students and our community, and that is something they should all be very proud of,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “We are incredibly thankful to each of them for their years of service at Hancock.” 

Retirees honored at this year’s ceremony included Student Services Technical Services Specialist Shelda Reyes, who is retiring after a 34-years with the college. Reyes began her career as student worker at Hancock in 1989 and worked in a variety of departments across the college, including Human Resources, Community Education and Facilities before taking her final position with Student Services.     

“One person can make a difference. That’s the motto I live by,” said Reyes. “I really enjoyed being a helpful resource for students and my colleagues, and hope that I was a positive factor in their lives.”  

The college also honored retiring drama professor Michael Dempsey. Dempsey’s career at Hancock spanned 21 years. During those years he worked to create the college’s theatre arts transfer degree, advocated for PCPA’s technical theater program, and served as the Faculty Association’s chief   negotiator during the pandemic. 

“What I’ll miss most is working with students,” said Dempsey. “My advice to faculty just starting out is to be someone your students can trust.” 

The full list of this year’s retirees includes Shelly Allen, budget analyst, 35 years; Kenneth George, assistant professor and Law Enforcement Academy coordinator, 34 years; Shelda Reyes, technical services specialist, 34 years; David Hunt, lead groundskeeper, 27 years, Joyce Dendo, financial aid analyst, 24 years, Thomas J. VanderMolen, 24 years; Michael Dempsey, professor of drama, 21 years; Yevette Valdez-Andrade, administrative assistant II, 16 years; Kevin Boland, multimedia specialist, 11 years; Margaret Lau, dean, 11 years and Eric Smith, associate superintendent/vice-president of finance and administration, 4 years.  

Hancock also honored additional faculty and staff during the event. Shane Anderson, Luke Blacquire, Nichole Dechaine, Veronica Luz De Leija, John Gerrity, Elaine Healy, Anna Kopcrak, Laurene Lee, Jennifer Morris, and Sydney Sorenson were all recognized as newly tenured faculty during the ceremony.  

The college also recognized the achievements of Hancock’s Sustainability Committee for their work on the college’s large-scale solar parking canopy project, and designated the college’s Facilities Department as the department of the year for 2023.