Big Bend’s Leach earns STTACC Exemplary Staff Award

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College TRiO Upward Bound Program Assistant Nancy Leach was recently honored by the Staff Training Association for Technical and Community Colleges (STTACC) with the 2020 Exemplary Staff Award from Region D.

The STTACC Exemplary Staff Awards are open to permanent classified staff in the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges system. Each year the organization selects one award recipient from each of its five regions.

To be considered for the award, nominees should have consistently demonstrated commitment and excellence in job performance and dedication to the mission and goals of their institution, as well as dedication to the professional development of the classified staff on their campus.

Leach has worked at Big Bend for 46 years. She has served students in the TRiO Upward Bound program for 44 of those years.

Big Bend TRiO Upward Bound Director Anita DeLeon said the award could not have gone to a more deserving person.

“Nancy does not view her role as a job, but rather a lifestyle,’ said DeLeon. ‘She goes above and beyond in her role on a daily basis. She has become an advocate for this student population and truly believes in TRiO’s mission.”

She gave some examples of times Leach has gone above and beyond for TRiO students, including the time she started a snack cabinet for them after finding out that many of their students were not eating breakfast or lunch and would often not even have their first meal until after they returned home after classes. Leach is also the first to volunteer to chaperone TRiO field trips and has taken the lead on introducing students to various community service and volunteer opportunities.

“When she sees a need, she takes care of it without any prompting,” said DeLeon.

DeLeon said she also nominated Leach for the award because of the contributions she has made within the campus community.

“Nancy has volunteered many years with the BBCC Relay for Life team and helping to fundraise by making holiday pies, serving at the BBCC Foundation Banquets, and participating in Soup Days,” said DeLeon. “She has also served on the Classified Staff Development Committee for many years. Nancy loves to make a difference and this is the drive that keeps her going.”

Leach will be formally recognized along with other district winners during the annual STTACC Conference in August.