COMPTON—El Camino College Compton Center recently honored English professor Toni Wasserberger, adjunct English professor Hiram Sims and staff member Linda Coleman for their high level of commitment to students, ECC Compton Center and their profession. They were recognized at the Annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, an event designed to thank all members of the campus community for their commitment to ECC Compton Center and its educational mission.

Toni Wasserberger, recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award, retired in June after 44 years of service to the Compton Community College District. Wasserberger taught a variety of courses in the English Department and also received faculty fellowships for instructional film production and development of materials for the Learning Center.

In 2008, she helped launch the highly successful First Year Experience program and has also played a major role in two important historical projects for the CCCD. She established and served as curator of a comprehensive college archive, in addition to researching and helping plan the honorary degree ceremony as part of the California Nisei College Diploma Project in 2010. Wasserberger holds bachelor and master degrees in English from the University of California Los Angeles.

Hiram Sims is a member of the English Department. He founded the Urban Poet’s Society on campus and routinely brings notable writers to ECC Compton Center to talk with students about the craft.

He is an accomplished poet and author, and is often invited to guest lecture in the academic community. Sims holds a master’s degree in professional writing and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern California.

Linda Coleman is known as a true resource in ECC Compton Center’s Human Resources Department. She practices excellent customer service and goes above and beyond to help students properly fill out forms or locate department contacts. Coleman is dedicated to her work and continues to expand her productivity through staff development opportunities.