The Río Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees honored faculty and staff for decades of service to the District at its September 9, 2026 meeting, with milestones ranging from 10 to 40 years.
Honorees included 32 members of the California School Employees Association (CSEA), 34 members of the Río Hondo College Faculty Association (RHCFA), and three members of the Management and Confidential groups. Sandra Hernandez of Library and Learning Support Services marked 40 years with the District, the evening's longest tenure. The Board also presented a commendation to Dr. Shin Liu, Professor of Computer Information Systems, for developing study abroad and cultural immersion partnerships with Chihlee University and Lishui University.
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Dr. Shin Liu, Professor of Computer Information Systems
The Board commended Dr. Shin Liu for her outstanding leadership in developing international educational opportunities for Río Hondo College students through partnerships in Taiwan and China. Study abroad and cultural immersion programs with Chihlee University and Lishui University provide students with meaningful global learning experiences while fostering cross-cultural understanding. Over the five-year term of these programs, hundreds of Río Hondo College students are expected to benefit. The Board extended its sincere appreciation to Professor Liu for her dedication to student success and for strengthening the college's global engagement.
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CSEA Members: 10, 20, 30, and 40 Years of Service
10 Years 16 honorees
- Monique Aguila, Child Development Center
- Eileen Barbosa, Contract Mgmt. & Vending Services
- Karla Bermudez, Math, Science & Engineering
- Albert Bretado, Public Information, Marketing & Communications
- Frank Carlos, Disabled Student Programs & Services
- Darell B. Chirrick, Career & Workforce Education
- Christopher Flores, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Patricia Foronda, Library & Learning Support Services
- Steven Gonzalez, Information Technology Services
- Joyce Hsiao, CalWORKs
- Kevin Leroy, Information Technology Services
- Cynthia Patino, Center for Career & Re-Entry Services
- Rocio Saenz, EOPS/CARE
- Meghan Samora, Admissions & Records
- Juan Rodriguez, Grounds/Facilities Services
- Aaron Vaughn, Career & Workforce Education
20 Years 14 honorees
- Lydia Corrales, Instructional Operations
- Johnny Figueroa, Utility/Facilities Services
- Kathy Gomez, LAC/Library & Learning Support Services
- Guadalupe Gonzalez, Child Development Center
- Corinne Johnston, Admissions & Records
- Winnie Liu, Fiscal Services
- Teresa Martinez, Kinesiology & Athletics
- Huy Nguyen, Information Technology Services
- Robert Ramirez, Admissions & Records
- Jorge Ruiz, Admissions & Records
- Odila Salmeron, Student Equity & Achievement
- Michelle Serrano, Contract Mgmt. & Vending Services
- Erika Tapia, Center for Career & Re-Entry Services
- Don Tran Vo, Custodial/Facilities Services
30 Years 1 honoree
- Sally Willsey, Educational Center at Pico Rivera
40 Years 1 honoree
- Sandra Hernandez, Library & Learning Support Services
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RHCFA Members: 10, 20, and 30 Years of Service
10 Years 21 honorees
- Kevin Barman, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Tammy Camacho, Counseling
- Ryan Carey, AJFT
- Wendy Carrera, Communications & Languages
- Arely Castaneda, Veteran's Center
- Rose Gaw, DSPS
- Erin Irwin, Math, Science & Engineering
- Jose Lara, Counseling
- Angelica Martinez, Counseling
- Farrah Nakatani, Career & Workforce Education
- Eric Olson, Career & Workforce Education
- Elizabeth Ramirez, Counseling/Articulation
- Claudia Romo, Counseling
- Mutsuno Ryan, Math, Science & Engineering
- Stephen Smith, Kinesiology & Athletics
- Angela Sotelo, Counseling
- Erin Miyo Stevens-Gandara, Arts & Cultural Programs
- Diana Tercero, Counseling
- David Tieu, Counseling
- Grant Tovmasian, Communications & Languages
- Christine Waugh, Counseling
20 Years 9 honorees
- Mike Javanmard, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Cynthia Lewis, Arts & Cultural Programs
- Kathy Lopez-Alvarado, HSN
- Juana Mora, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Jill Pfeiffer, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Matt Pitassi, Math, Science & Engineering
- Shelly Spencer, Math, Science & Engineering
- Irma Valdivia, Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Colin Young, Behavioral & Social Sciences
30 Years 4 honorees
- Mike Hinze, Kinesiology & Athletics
- George Kimber, AJ&FT
- Lydia Llerena, Communications & Languages
- Melissa Rifino Juarez, Behavioral & Social Sciences
Management and Confidential Members: 10 and 20 Years of Service
Management, 10 Years 2 honorees
- Gerson Montiel, Math, Science & Engineering
- Cecilia Rocha, Student Equity & Achievement
Confidential, 20 Years 1 honoree
- Rachel Garcia, Student Services