News Release

CONTACT: Della Elliott, Public Information, (619) 644-7690, della.elliott@gcccd.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               July 24, 2006

Cuyamaca College financial
aid officer lauded

East County alum relishes helping students obtain millions for higher education

EL CAJON – – Ray Reyes, director of the Cuyamaca College financial aid office, is the first recipient of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor/Classified Senate Award since the employee award was re-introduced this year following a hiatus.

The joint award, revamped to include a $250 gift certificate, engraved trophy and other amenities, recognizes excellence among the non-instructional staff at both colleges and the district office.

Reyes, who received several nominations for the award from co-workers and his supervisor, is the college’s assistant financial aid officer and plays an integral role in a department that last year helped students obtain more than $4.2 million, mostly in grants, scholarships, and vouchers.

“Financial aid is the key to giving many students access to higher education,” said Reyes, who received his employee-recognition award from Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Omero Suarez and the Classified Senate at last week’s governing board meeting.

“Ray Reyes is a wonderful example of our truly outstanding classified employees and their commitment to exemplary service,” Suarez said.

Pat Murray, past president of the classified senate who pushed for retooling the award to increase participation, said it’s important to recognize the behind-the-scenes contributions of classified employees.

“It is my hope that my colleagues will all feel more aware of the impact they can have in the lives of the students,” she said.

Reyes said he keeps in contact with several past students he’s helped in his nine years at Cuyamaca, including one grateful financial aid recipient, who came to the college in turmoil after a marital breakup left her destitute. Now an Oregon entrepreneur with a business degree from SDSU, she was looking to start her life anew as a 29-year-old single parent of two with no job training or experience.

“She told me that she was going to college for the first time and that she was frightened,” Reyes said, recounting the woman’s desperation.

With Reyes’ guidance, the woman was able to obtain full financial aid, which covered her fees, books and supplies, and helped with living expenses. At Reyes’ urging, she also applied for local and national scholarships, receiving more $1,500 in stipends in her three years at Cuyamaca.

“Once in a while, she’ll send me an e-mail letting me know how she’s doing and her e-mails always end with her thanking me for helping her succeed in education and in her life,” Reyes said.

As for the award, he said he was “truly honored and privileged” to receive the recognition, and shared the credit with others in the financial aid office.

“We have a great staff and we love giving access to our students,” he said.
Reyes’ boss, Gene Morones, interim associate dean of special-funded programs, compared the award recipient to an “anchor in a storm,” noting how he always keeps the financial aide office on an even keel, no matter the pressing demands and ever-increasing caseloads.

Kari Crawford, financial aid adviser, said Reyes’ first priority is to the students of Cuyamaca College, and that his imprint on the department ensures that it remains so among other staffers.

“Ray cares about the students we serve,” she said. “He is always looking at ways to improve our customer service by developing training programs and gaining feedback from advisers, student hourly workers and the students, themselves. He is always working to improve our financial aid system, always makes the time for questions from staff and/or students, and our office always meets the deadlines so that students are always paid on time.”

With the fall semester set to begin Aug. 21, the financial aid offices of both Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges are humming with activity.

First-time students need to submit an admissions application, either at the colleges’ admissions and records offices, or online at www.cuyamaca.edu and www.grossmont.edu.

Registering for classes can also be done online or by phone.

To apply for financial aid, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, and for financial aid information, go to www.cuyamaca.edu/finaid or www.grossmont.edu/fa.

Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego; Grossmont College is at 8800 Grossmont College Drive in El Cajon.

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