What started as a way to alleviate post-pandemic boredom has become a labor of love for enrollment services specialist Steven Happek, this year’s Distinguished Part-Time Staff Award recipient.
“Sitting at the Welcome Center, Steve is ready and willing to support everyone who steps through our doors,” said enrollment services coordinator Elizabeth “Lib” Gorman, who nominated Happek for the honor. “He has not been given the nickname ‘the night dean’ for nothing.”
She says she has been “continually impressed by his initiative and logistical thinking.” Among the improvements Happek has brought to the Welcome Center are the creation of quick reference guides for the front desk, improvements to enrollment forms, and increased efficiencies.
Happek came to Laurel Ridge 2½ years ago.
“After covid, I was looking for something to get me out of the house because I telework 100 percent for the government,” said Happek, who lives in Stephens City and is a full-time telecommunications manager for the U.S. Department of Transportation during the day. “Covid just kind of really reinforced the fact that I didn’t go anywhere. It was becoming unhealthy for me to stay home.”
He decided he needed a part-time job that would also give him a respite from his IT work. And while Happek hadn’t worked in higher education before, Laurel Ridge is familiar to him. He is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College and when he was transferring into the University of Virginia’s interdisciplinary studies program, needed three more prerequisite courses. Happek was able to take those classes at Laurel Ridge. He is currently studying for his master’s degree in business at Southern New Hampshire University.
Happek, who grew up in New Mexico, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1993, has been working in the IT field for decades. He shares that expertise when his colleagues need assistance.
“He has resolved classroom technology issues for faculty in the evenings when it’s gone awry – literally running down the hall to the rescue one evening – has supported countless students with their multi-factor authentication errors and guided staff with questions like, ‘What on Earth happened to my Outlook formatting?’” said Gorman. “Steve works through the most stressful of student circumstances or high-demand enrollment cycles in a calm, positive manner – his humor helps too. He has made a focused effort to cultivate positive spirit among his peers by bringing us together for interdepartmental potlucks.”
College coach and domicile specialist Rachel Schlosser said “everyone needs a Steve in their office.”
“He always has a radiating positive spirit,” she said. “He is always willing to go above and beyond to support our students. He has continually been making a great effort to bring a sense of community to the college by teaming up with other offices and putting together events.”
Dean of Students Amber Foltz described Happek as “a hound dog searching for the answer or solution,” while Financial Aid Director Steven “Buddy” Wilson said he always goes the extra mile.
“On one occasion, Steve was able to help a student navigate a very arduous and time-consuming process during an extremely busy time,” Wilson said. “His willingness to patiently help and support our students, staff, and faculty is always evident.”
While he is a part-time employee, Happek has full-time love for Laurel Ridge.
“The interaction with the public and the fact that I can actually see some good in the community from what I do are what I like best about my role,” he said. “Until I started working here, I didn’t realize how many cookie jars we have our hands in in the community. I never realized there was a foundation that helps students with scholarships, or Adult Basic Education that helps students with ESL and GED attainment.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.