Colleen McKinley named Outstanding Classified Manager of the Year
The Association for Cerritos College Management Employees (ACCME) has named Colleen
McKinley, acting dean of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, as the recipient
of the 15th annual Outstanding Classified Manager Award. Colleen joined the Cerritos
College family as Director of Educational Partnerships and Programs in the fall of
2016 and has made significant contributions to the district during her tenure.
Colleen has exhibited outstanding leadership, active involvement and collaboration across campus and our communities, and unwavering support to students and her teams. Colleen has forged partnerships with external stakeholders in our communities in K-12 districts, CSUs, and various community programs. These partnerships enhance Cerritos College’s reputation and give students access to resources and experiences to achieve their educational goals. In doing so, Cerritos Complete, dual enrollment, and Teacher TRAC programs, in particular, have seen exponential growth, cultivated by strong coordination and working relationships with both instructional and non-instructional areas. She received multiple nominations from external partners who noted their high regard for Colleen and her ability to create meaningful student success programs through these partnerships.
In her nominations, her team members also highlight her dedication to employee development and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Folks note that Colleen is friendly, warm, caring, and “the ideal blend of professionalism and compassion” and that she is always willing to help, even beyond the professional realm.
Finally, Colleen has ensured a smooth transition in the Academic Affairs office by taking on the Acting Dean of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives position. In her short time in the role, she has focused on understanding and improving procedures and processes and supporting her new team. One office member noted that Colleen “inspires a culture of teamwork and mutual support within the college.” At the same time, another nomination similarly stated that “Colleen embodies a spirit of service and hard work” – both highlighting her leadership approach that aligns directly with the core values of Cerritos College.
Congratulations, Colleen, and thank you for a job well done!
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