May 11, 2007

Denise Rossi was honored as “Merced College Classified Staff Employee of the Year” during the annual Classified Staff Employee Day at Lake Yosemite on April 12.

Denise has been with the College since 1999 and works as a computer operations network specialist. Denise’s family was on hand to see her surprise as she was awarded the crystal trophy.

“It was a lovely moment in my life,” said Denise. “I work with some of the greatest people and I’m truly humbled to have been nominated by them. I also want to give a special thanks to Shelly Tafoya, who was Classified Staff Employee of the Year last spring.”

Before coming to work for Merced College, Denise began her computer training upon joining the Navy in 1995. After nine weeks of boot camp, she went to computer tech school in San Diego and then transferred to the Navy’s Enlisted Placement Management Center (Epmac) in New Orleans where she spent the next 2 ½ years networking Naval computers. “It was a very interesting job because I was supporting naval personnel who were located all over the world,” said Denise.

When Denise’s mother, Susie, became ill in 1998, Denise decided not to reenlist and came home to Merced to be closer to her family. She went to work for a local computer company and began doing contract work with Merced College, so it was a natural move for Denise to make when a position became available in the computer operations department at the college in 1999. She finds the job challenging and fun. “The network system has changed twice since I’ve been here,” states Denise. “My brain is constantly working…I love troubleshooting!” Asked what she likes most about her job, Denise emphasizes that she has two wonderful bosses, Arthur Haggerty and Don Peterson. “My colleagues are the reason it’s so enjoyable for me to come to work each morning -- I work with some of the greatest people.”

Denise’s hobbies include travel and community involvement. She currently has a foreign exchange student from Japan living with her and would like to visit Japan one day. She is co-chair with her sister, Laurie, of the Christmas Parade and has worked on Assembly Member Cathleen Galiani’s campaign for the past three years. She belongs to the Italian-Catholic Federation and works with the American Cancer Society and Hines Hospice. Her favorite charities are the UC Merced Foundation, Boys & Girls Club and the Rainbow Valley Foster Care Agency.

When asked if she had any words of wisdom to pass on, Denise said to “live life to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it!”

Congratulations to Denise Rossi from the Merced College administration, faculty, and fellow classified staff personnel.