Administrative Assistant Janet Dean remembers when registering for classes at Oakland Community College (OCC) meant enduring lines that stretched around the building, much like the long waits at Disney World. Students used Social Security numbers instead of student ID numbers, and employees manually entered each of their classes. 

It’s just one example of how much the college has changed during Dean’s 40 years at OCC. 

“I remember using typewriters as part of our job until PCs became more mainstream; even telephones are now kind of obsolete,” she said. “Nobody really calls me anymore; I receive more emails. Definitely Zoom and Teams virtual meetings, that is a big change.”  

Dean and Dan Stemmer, Mailroom Shipping and Receiving Clerk, were recognized for reaching 40 years of service during the College’s 2026 Milestone and Retiree Recognition event on Nov. 6 at the Royal Oak campus. 

Four Decades of Dedication

Administrative Assistant Janet Dean with Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr.

Administrative Assistant Janet Dean with Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr.

Dean is a proud OCC alum, graduating in 1991 with an Associate degree in Business Administration. 

As an administrative assistant for OCC’s Institutional Effectiveness (IE) Department, Dean is a go-to resource for coordinating large-scale events, including the Data Summit and All Employee meeting. She handles scheduling and other tasks for Steve Simpson, Chief of Staff and Strategy, supports the Strategic Direction Committee, and assists with budgeting and purchases. 

Over the years, Dean has held positions in several departments across multiple campuses. She began as a secretary in Counseling at the Orchard Ridge campus before moving to the OCC’s Police Academy in Auburn Hills. She later became an administrative specialist in Financial Services at the former District Office, followed by a part-time secretary position with ACCESS at Highland Lakes. In 2010, she returned to full-time work as an administrative specialist in Economic Workforce Development before joining IE, where she works today. 

Along the way, Dean has built meaningful relationships with students and colleagues that have made her time at OCC especially rewarding.  

“A student worker who graduated contacted me out of the blue to share that she was doing well professionally and that her employer had been very impressed with her work,” Dean recalled. “What meant the most to me was when she said that much of her success was a result of the skills and knowledge she gained while working with me. The fact that she took the time to reach out years later was very meaningful and reinforced the impact that mentoring can have.” 

OCC has also been a family affair for Dean. Her husband, Patrick, is an OCC Network Specialist who celebrated his own 40-year milestone in 2023. He was at her side when colleagues applauded her at the recognition event. 

Employees Empower OCC  

Dean and Stemmer were two of approximately 100 employees and retirees recognized at the 2026 Milestones and Retiree Recognition event.  

“I want to make sure that you all understand that your work here really matters,” OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr. told the crowd. “You make a difference to our students, your colleagues and this community. We’re here to recognize that impact, celebrate you, and have some fun!” 

View photos from the event. 

2026 OCC Milestone Honorees
 
The following list of esteemed employees and retirees were recognized for their years of service at OCC.  

40 Years 

  • Janet Dean – Administrative Assistant (AH)
  • Daniel Stemmer – Mailroom Shipping & Receiving Clerk (AH) 

35 Years 

  • Phelicia Jones – Financial Aid Manager (RO) 

30 Years 

  • Kurt Birkle – Paraprofessional, CIS (AH)
  • Keri Bradsher – Materials Specialist (AH)
  • Beth Eppers – Administrative Specialist II (AH)
  • Corine Fikes – Secretary (OR)
  • Warren Hawkins – Custodian (SF)
  • Kenneth Reynolds – Chief, Campus Facility Operations (AH)
  • Nick Valenti – Faculty, Photography (OR) 

25 Years 

  • David Board – Public Safety Officer (OR)
  • Marianne Calunas – Learning Resources Technician (AH)
  • Eleanor Fox – Research Analyst (AH)
  • Beth Garnsey – Faculty, Librarian (HL)
  • Michelle Jerome – Accounting Specialist II (AH)
  • Sarah Lemelin – Faculty, English as a Second Language (AH)
  • Leanne Nadlicki – Administrative Assistant, HR (AH)
  • Juanita Narducci – Custodian (HL)
  • Vernita Thomas – Paraprofessional, ASC (OR)
  • Jennifer Warren – Faculty, English as a Second Language (AH)
  • Scott Werhnyak – ACCESS Specialist (RO) 

20 Years

Employees celebrating 20 years of service with Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr.

Employees celebrating 20 years of service with Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr.

  • Eric Abbey – Faculty, English (RO)
  • Nahrein Atkinson – Faculty, Counselor (RO)
  • Anthony Baracco – Faculty, History (OR)
  • Karen Barr – Learning Resources Technician (RO)
  • Shanelle Breeze – Secretary (RO)
  • Jeffrey Farrah – Faculty, Political Science (RO)
  • Sandra Harrold-Foster, Buyer (AH)
  • Joseph Helminski – Faculty English (OR)
  • Marquel Howell – Administrative Specialist II (OR)
  • Kelly Hyduk – Online Learning Technologies Manager (AH)
  • Steven Jablonski – Financial Aid Manager, Systems and Operations (AH)
  • Suzanne Labadie – Faculty, English (RO)
  • Lisa Nemitz – Faculty, Academic Support Center (OR)
  • Andrea Powell – Administrative Assistant, Institutional Effectiveness (AH)
  • Brian Shaw – Faculty, Mathematics (OR)
  • Nadja Springer-Ali – Faculty, Librarian (OR)
  • Sandra Strong – Associate Director of Financial Aid & Veterans (AH) 

15 Years 

  • John Baugh – Faculty, Computer Information Systems (OR)
  • Theodore Bolak – Faculty, English (AH)
  • Tara Broeckel – Faculty, English (OR)
  • Deron Burgess – Director of Campus Operations (RO)
  • Anita Caponi – Program Director, Surgical Technology (SF)
  • Aurelio Cappella – Facility Technician (OR)
  • Katelyn Cater – Faculty, Chemistry (OR)
  • Daniel Chudnof – Faculty, Business (OR)
  • Scott Contor – Faculty, English (AH)
  • Shannon Flynn – Faculty, Biology (OR)
  • Yolanda Hargrove – Faculty, English (RO)
  • Callina Renee Henson – Faculty, Counselor (AH)
  • Bridget Johnson – Faculty, Sociology (OR)
  • Alkinie Lewis – Administrative Specialist II, Student Services (AH)
  • Glenn Meyer – Facility Technician (RO)
  • Lindsay Mitchell – Learning Resources Technician (AH)
  • Tiffany Ofeimu – Faculty, Early Childhood Education (OR)
  • Hany Othman – Faculty, Computer Information Systems (AH)
  • Tatiana Reynolds – Faculty, Mathematics (OR)
  • Dawn Robinson – Registrar Services Specialist (AH)
  • Michelle Rodgers – Enrollment Manager (OR)
  • Aydeh Selameh – Faculty, Mathematics (RO)
  • Mary Smolenski – Faculty, Counselor (AH)
  • Codruta Trifan – Financial Aid Specialist (AH)
  • Dawn Young – Faculty, Accounting (OR) 

10 Years 

  • Terry Cocking – Public Safety Officer (HL)
  • Lindsey Dady – ACCESS Paraprofessional (RO)
  • Shawn DiCicco – ACCESS Coordinator (HL)
  • Dan DiTomaso – Public Safety Officer (OR)
  • Lauren Goldwater – Faculty, Respiratory Therapy (SF)
  • Robert Herman – Desktop Support Manager (AH)
  • Bridget Kavanaugh – Director of Communications (RO)
  • Claude Townsend – Faculty, Automobile Servicing (AH) 

2026 Retirees

OCC Retirees

Retirees with Andre’ Poplar, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr.

  • Cheryl Blake – Human Resources Coordinator (AH)
  • Holly Broesamle – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Cindy Carbone – Academic Dean, Communication & English / Fine Arts & Humanities (OR)
  • Daniel Cherewick – Director of Physical Facilities (AH)
  • Judy Darby – ACCESS Specialist (OR)
  • James Davis – Facility Technician (AH)
  • Rebecca Guenther – Budget and Financial Planning Manager (AH)
  • Sandra Happel – PT Paraprofessional, Photography (OR)
  • Darlene Johnson-Bignotti – Faculty, Librarian (RO)
  • Kim Kelley – Registrar Services Specialist (AH)
  • Kathleen Kelly – Executive Administrator to the Chancellor (AH)
  • Christina Kostiuk – Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services (AH)
  • Jennifer Little – Faculty, Theatre (OR)
  • Sheila Mann – Faculty, Radiologic Technology (SF)
  • Denise Martin – Faculty, Emergency Medical Services (AH)
  • Lauren Masa – Printing Specialist (AH)
  • Maria McCarthy - Manager of Auxiliary Services (AH)
  • James Meixner – Group Leader, Custodial & Grounds (HL)
  • Pam Micallef – Faculty, Counselor (HL)
  • Leah Michels – Faculty, English (OR)
  • Renee Muro – Faculty, Chemistry (AH)
  • Jimmie Myers – Public Safety Officer (AH)
  • Dave Nosanchuk – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Holly Nunn – Public Safety Officer (OR)
  • Greg Obidzinski – Grounds Keeper (AH)
  • Thomas Pryor – Faculty, English (AH)
  • Michael Robinson – Faculty, Academic Support Center (AH)
  • Kenneth Sigler – Faculty, Computer Information Systems (AH)
  • Catherine Sorenson – Student Support Specialist II (HL)
  • Robert Spann – Dean of Enrollment Services (OR)
  • Beverly Stanbrough – Dean of Counseling and Student Success (OR)
  • Lawrence Stark – Faculty, Philosophy (AH)
  • Brenda Townsend – Mailroom Shipping & Receiving Clerk (AH)
  • Sally White – Paraprofessional, Academic Support Center (HL) 

 
About OCC

Oakland Community College (OCC) has empowered individuals through education since 1965. Serving more than 20,000 students annually, OCC offers 80+ degree and certificate programs, workforce training and community education programs with flexible class options, low tuition, robust services, and top transfer opportunities. Ranked Michigan’s top online college and seventh nationally by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025, OCC delivers education that drives opportunity, workforce growth and community impact. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu. 

  
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