19 EFSC Employees Honored with STARS Awards for Performance

Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) recognized 19 outstanding employees as STARS Award recipients during Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting, celebrating their exemplary performance throughout the past academic year.

The STARS Awards — representing Superlative, Teamwork, Attitude, Responsibility, and Service — honor employees who go above and beyond in their roles. Nominated by their peers, this year’s honorees represent a wide range of academic and support service areas, including communications, human resources, procurement, advising, testing, student life, enrollment management, facilities, shipping and receiving, and public safety.

Established in 2015 by EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey, the STARS Awards have become a cherished annual tradition that highlights excellence across the College.

“It is with great pride and deep appreciation that we recognize these outstanding staff members as STARS Award winners,” said Dr. Richey. “Their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence go far beyond the call of duty. They embody the spirit of our college and inspire us all to reach higher, serve better, and lead with heart. Congratulations to each of you — you are truly the stars that make our college shine.”

Dr. Sandy Handfield, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, oversees the nomination process each year.

“Nominations for this year’s honors set a new record,” said Dr. Handfield. “The 2025 honorees represent all four campuses and more than a dozen departments, with each award winner clearly making a positive impact.”

The 2025 STARS honorees included:

• Gena Argila – Human Resources, Cocoa Campus
• Dana Arace – Student Life Coordinator, Cocoa Campus
• Jeff Coutu – Public Safety Institute, Melbourne Campus
• Amy Covel – Academic Success Center, Titusville Campus
• Barbara Fisher – Advising, Titusville Campus
• Daniel Gatica – Collegewide Receiving, Cocoa Campus
• Rachel George – Testing/Assessment Center, Palm Bay Campus
• Sam Hensler – Collegewide Communications, Cocoa Campus
• Terry Lane – Advising, Melbourne Campus
• Tammy Leon – Human Resources, Cocoa Campus
• Jen Lucier – Human Resources, Cocoa Campus
• Brittany Luke – Advising, Cocoa Campus
• Rhonda Morelock – Student Life, Melbourne Campus
• Valerie Rolling – Collegewide Testing & Assessment, Melbourne Campus
• Kristen Salitore – Procurement, Cocoa Campus
• Shirley Spears – Human Resources, Cocoa Campus
• James Sweeney – Security, Cocoa Campus
• Melissa Walker – Public Safety Institute, Melbourne Campus
• Bernadette Wise – Registrar’s Office, Cocoa Campus

For more information about Eastern Florida State College or career opportunities, visit easternflorida.edu.

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