Distinguished Service Award

Robert Brown Distinguished Service Award

The Robert Brown Award is given to a CACCRAO member who has distinguished him or herself within the Admissions and Records profession.  CACCRAO presents this award to recognize the outstanding contributions of individual CACCRAO members and to further the profession of Admissions and Records Officers within the California Community College system.  It is a symbol of commitment to leadership, innovation and professional standards.

The award is named in honor of Robert Brown, the Registrar at San Jose Community College District during the 1970’s and 1980’s.  He was so competent and driven that he held the title at two separate campuses within the district.  Dr. Brown was well known for his generous and open personality – he connected with both students and staff.  He would greet staff from every office on campus and knew all their names, even the names of their children.  According to his son, for Dr. Brown it wasn’t enough to just do a great job as Registrar, it was important to maintain an expression of “humanity” with everyone he came in contact.

After his untimely death, the CACCRAO Board established this award to acknowledge a person each year who exemplifies Dr. Brown’s model of both professional competence within our field and a genuine caring spirit.  Beginning in 1997, the first Robert Brown Award was presented to Gordon Newman from Santa Monica College.  Over the years, CACCRAO has presented this award to more than a dozen distinguished colleagues.

2024-2025 Nomination Form

Deadline to submit: April 4, 2025.

The Robert Brown Award is given to a CACCRAO member who has distinguished him or herself within the Admissions and Records profession. CACCRAO presents this award to recognize the outstanding contributions of individual CACCRAO members and to further the profession of Admissions and Records Officers within the California Community College system. It is a symbol of commitment to leadership, innovation and professional standards.

If you believe someone meets this criteria, please submit your nomination using the form below. If you have questions, please contact Veronica Fisher at veronica.fisher@scccd.edu.

reCAPTCHA is required.

Past Recipients

YEAR RECIPIENT COLLEGE YEARS OF SERVICE*
2018-19 Rita Grogan West Hills Community College District 23 years in education
2017-18 Elias Regalado California Community College Chancellor’s Office
2016-17 Sue Vaughn Bakersfield College 20+ years in CACCRAO20+ years in education
2015-16 Henry Villareal College of San Mateo 15 years in CACCRAO38 years in education
2014-15 Jasmine Ruys College of the Canyons 13 years in CACCRAO13 years in education
2013-14 Linda Miscovic Santiago Canyon College 20 years in CACCRAO20 years in education
2012-13 Alicia Terry MiraCosta College 20 years in CACCRAO29 years in education
2011 12 Bill Mulrooney El Camino College 12 years CACCRAO22 years in education
2010- 11 Debbie Rio College of the Canyons 24 years CACCRAO25 years in education
2009-10 Judy Young Chabot College 10 years CACCRAO40 years in education
2008-09 Dan Angelo San Barnardino Valley College 18 years CACCRAO33 years in education
2007-08 Joy Chambers Cuesta College 10 years CACCRAO37 years in education
2006-07 Don Mast College of the Sequoias 10 years CACCRAO36 years in education
2005-06 Kathy Kyne De Anza College 18 years CACCRAO40 years in education
2004-05 Elinda Gonzales Mt. San Jacinto College 23 years CACCRAO38 years education
2003-04 Jess Craig Irvine Valley College 20 years CACCRAO37 years in education
2002-03 Hal Bateman Santa Ana College 40 years CACCRAO40 years in education
2001-02 Helen Simmons Chancellor’s Office 22 years in CACCRAO28 years at CCCCO
2000-01 John Mullen College of San Mateo 18 years CACCRAO40 years in education
1999-00 Lynn Hanks Mt. San Antonio 19 years in CACCRAO34 years in education
1998-99 Gerry Fisher Solano College 13 years CACCRAO30 years in education
1997-98 Gary Stakan Saddleback College 20 years CACCRAO37 years in education
1996-97 Gordon Newman Santa Monica College 30 years CACCRAO40 years in education

* Years of service represent those that transpired at the time of the award