12 EFSC Employees Honored with STARS Awards for Performance Excellence
October 12, 2026
Eastern Florida State College recognized 12 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 EFSC staff members who go above and beyond in their roles. Nominated
by their peers, this year's honorees represent a broad cross-section of academic and
support service areas across the College including campus security, career and technical
programs, the EFSC call center, IT tech support, advising, administrative support,
shipping and receiving, computer science, and administrative support.
Established eleven years ago by EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey, the STARS Awards have
become a cherished annual tradition that highlights excellence across the College.
“The EFSC STARS Awards celebrate employees who consistently demonstrate excellence,
dedication, and a commitment to serving our students and our community,” said College
President Dr. Jim Richey. “Each of this year’s recipients has made a meaningful impact
through their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond in support of
our mission. I am deeply grateful for their contributions and proud to celebrate their
achievements. Congratulations to our STARS recipients on this well-earned recognition.”
Dr. Sandy Handfield, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, oversees the nomination
process each year and said, “The 2026 honorees represent all four campuses and more
than a dozen departments, with each award winner clearly making a positive impact
in their respective areas.”
The 2026 STARS honorees include:
- Matt Beckwith – Tech Support, Melbourne Campus
- Myron Campbell – Community Engagement & External Affairs, Palm Bay Campus
- Anthony Delletiglie – Grants/Development, Cocoa Campus
- John Dix – Admissions, Palm Bay Campus
- George Lopez – Shipping & Receiving, Melbourne Campus
- Elyseo Mendoza – Call Center, Cocoa Campus
- Ken O’Neill – Campus Security, Melbourne Campus
- Esther Roberts – Computer Science Admin. Support, Palm Bay Campus
- Melinda Schmohl – Career and Technical Education, Melbourne Campus
- Melissa Smith – Science & Engineering, Cocoa Campus
- Diane Taylor – Administrative Support, Cocoa Campus
- Melissa Underwood – SAIL, Melbourne Campus
For more information about Eastern Florida State College or career opportunities,
visit easternflorida.edu.
- Media Contact: Suzanne Rains, APR, CPRC, Associate Vice President, Communications
- Office: 321-433-7022
- Cell: 321-537-6986
- Email: rainss@easternflorida.edu