Employee Spotlight Award Winners

Linda AlfordEmployee Spotlight: Linda Alford
Linda Alford, Administrative Coordinator 4 in the Athletics program, was selected for the Employee Spotlight Award (Unclassified Staff) during the recent competition for the award held during Employee Appreciation days last month.
Other recipients of the award are Candance Thomas of Upward Bound (unclassified staff) and Sarah Clifton, (faculty), Department of Mathematics.
Director of Athletics Jay Artigues said Linda’s commitment and integrity are exceptional.
“She is always pleasant and willing to anything asked of her,” he said. “She is a great example of what a team player should be. Not only does she enjoy her job but she loves Southeastern and exemplifies what Lion Pride is all about.”
“Several words come to mind to describe Linda: integrity, excellence, teamwork, character and loyalty,” added Andrew Bechac, senior associate AD for internal operations. “If Sutheastern had an athletic draft, she would be a ‘first round pick.’”
I was very surprised to be selected, and also honored,’ says Linda bout the award. “ I'm blessed to work in the Athletic Department with such a great sdministration, co-workers and coaches.”
Originally from New Orleans, Linda moved to the Northshore about 20 years ago and has worked in the Athletic Department for 15 years with duties such as timekeeper, scholarship responsibilities and working with the coaches on apparel and uniform ordering for our teams.


Sarah CliftonEmployee Spotlight: Sarah Clifton
Sarah Clifton, instructor of mathematics, was selected for the Employee Spotlight Award (Faculty) during the recent competition for the award held during Employee Appreciation days last month.
Other recipients of the award are Linda Alford of Athletics (unclassified staff) and Candance Thomas of Upward Bound (classified staff). The will be profiled in future issues of ByLion.
Sarah was nominated by Lori Osterly-Ulfers, instructor in the Department of History and Political Science.
"Sarah is an inspiring and wonderful person and is a very dedication and conscientious teacher," said Osterly-Ulfers. "She puts in a lot of extra time wither her students and is well liked by her colleagues."
Sarah is also well known at the Pennington Student Activity Center, where she teaches fitness classes.
"I am very surprised and honored by the Spotlight Award," Sarah said. "I think it is wonderful the university is taking time to recognize employees in a time of such financial hardship for higher education. I've had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful, caring people who have become my extended family, not to mention the students who inspire me every day."
Prior to joining Southeastern in 1997, she taught at Broward Community College and Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.


Candance ThomasEmployee Spotlight: Candance Thomas
Candance Thomas, Outreach Specialist with Upward Bound, was selected for the Employee Spotlight Award (Unclassified Staff) during the recent competition for the award held during Employee Appreciation days last month.
Candance was nominated by Wendy Stevens of Upward Bound, who praised Candance’s excellence in service and professionalism.
“Candance is the glue in our department,” Stevens said. “She coordinates administration functions that are critical for successful operations of the Upward Bound programs. Her high standards and dependability allow our five independent programs to function smoothly.”
“I am very elated by this news,” says Candance, a resident of Hammond. She has worked at Southeastern since 2013.
“Candance is so dedicated to making sure that our students receive the services they need to be successful,” added Upward Bound Director Ron Abel.