June

Award-winning excellence: LoriAnn Garcia, Office of the Registrar

Profiling a Distinguished Service Award recipient and longtime Roadrunner who ensures there are degrees of success.

By Cory Phare

June 14, 2017

The Distinguished Service and Faculty Senate Teaching Excellence Award winners were announced by MSU Denver President Stephen Jordan at the recent Faculty and Staff Appreciation Barbecue. Over the following weeks, we’re profiling the award recipients and what goes into the making of these remarkable Roadrunner success stories.

Here’s our conversation with LoriAnn Garcia, degree audit coordinator from the Office of the Registrar.

What is your background?
This is my 18th year working at MSU Denver, and I am also an alumna. I started working as a full-time classified staff member when I was a student. I loved the people and the mission of MSU Denver so much that once I graduated, I wanted to stay and try to make a difference.

Where do you draw inspiration?
I draw inspiration from my parents who taught me the importance of working hard and giving people more than they ask for. I also draw inspiration from the students we serve for the struggles they encounter on their journey to obtain their dreams, as well as their perseverance in never giving up. The people I work with, who give so much every day to ensure that our students have the best academic experience possible, inspire me to always treat people with kindness and to always listen first. Finally, my children give me the motivation to make each day count and to always try my hardest.

What’s one day on campus you’ll never forget?
There have been so many that it is hard to choose. Participating in the Commencement ceremonies are two of the best days of the year; the energy and excitement displayed is infectious. The students have worked so hard and this celebration is so well earned; I am proud to be able to share in their special day.

What does it mean to you to win the Distinguished Service Award?
I am extremely honored and humbled to have been recognized for my service. MSU Denver has such a deserving staff of dedicated and committed individuals that I am extremely grateful to have been nominated, and even more so to have been selected. I would love to extend my sincerest gratitude to the people who have given me this experience.

It’s nighttime, and you’re reflecting on a successful day. What are you thinking about?
I am thinking about how grateful I am to have a job that I enjoy going to each day and how lucky I am to love the people that I work with. I am reflecting on the cohesive, well-oiled machine that I feel MSU Denver has become and the changes that we have made to enhance and enrich the academic experience of our students. I am grateful to work at an institution that dreams big and wants more for our students and staff. And in the end, I am planning for tomorrow and coming up with ways that I can make it even better than today.

What does it mean to you to be a Roadrunner?
Being a Roadrunner means being a member of an extraordinary team. Roadrunners are scrappy and innovative; we often find ways to do more with less. We think outside of the box and always rise to the occasion, never forgetting who we are, where we came from and what we stand for. I feel very fortunate to be a Roadrunner!