Marcos Cicerone, director of Staff and Organizational Development

“Marcos has always had the utmost respect for classified staff and has shown that respect in many ways,” said his nominator. “From the time Marcos took over the leadership of the Teaching Resource Center, which evolved into the Staff Development Office, Marcos worked hard to make sure that classified staff needs were included in the programs offered.”

When AB 1725 came into effect, and the Staff Development Office came into being, Cicerone and the advisory committee saw to it that funds were available for classified staff training, conferences and travel, and seed money for the Classified Senate, which the advisory committee supported for several years until the Senate became “institutionalized.”

“Marcos has always encouraged classified staff to take a leadership role on campus and has provided exceptional training workshops whenever asked to do so. He is also a wonderful arbitrator who has provided excellent professional advice to the Senate over the years,” his nominator said. “Few people can listen with such a sympathetic ear, extract what the speaker is saying and know just how to respond as well as Marcos.”

Several years ago, through his leadership, classified staff were included in the “new employee” orientation program along with new faculty and administrators. This year, Cicerone and the Staff Development Office are working hard with Human Resources on the “Transition Project,” which will assist classified staff displaced due to layoffs, with support, skills assessment and job skills training. “Marcos Cicerone is a true gift,” said his nominator.

“One of the greatest privileges of my career at De Anza has been the opportunity to work closely with the classified staff. The Classified Senate has a special place in my heart, since I was in the delivery room to witness its birth, and it is especially rewarding to me to see how the Senate has blossomed and grown,” Cicerone said. “The Senate’s vitality and its dedicated leadership are truly remarkable and all of us in the De Anza community — students, faculty, administration and classified staff — have been greatly enriched by the extraordinary contributions of the Classified Senate. I feel truly honored to receive this award and I continue to wear my Classified T-shirt with great pride.”

The Classified Senate Recognition Award is an award voted on by the Classified Senate annually in appreciation to non-classified staff, faculty and administrators for their outstanding support of the classified staff at De Anza College.