Big Bend trustee, program director win state awards

MOSES LAKE - A Big Bend Community College trustee and the director of Trio-Student Support services received statewide awards from the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges recently.

Mike Blakely, of Quincy, in his second term on the board of trustees, received the Trustee Leadership Award. Custodio Valencia, who directs the Trio program, received the Equity Award.

"The Trustee Leadership Award recognizes trustees for service as outstanding leaders in the community and technical college system," college spokesperson Doug Sly said. Blakely was one of two recipients.

Blakely is the first BBCC trustee to be recognized by the trustees association since 1989, Sly said.

"The Equity Award recognizes an individual or college program that has demonstrated success in furthering equality and student achievement in the community and technical college system," Sly said. Valencia has worked at BBCC for nine years.

"Mike continually reaches out to students and encourages their attendance at BBCC, often bringing them to campus and introducing them to student services," BBCC trustee Jon Lane said. Blakely also is on the BBCC Foundation board of directors.

Valencia "has been where our students are," BBCC counselor Max Heinzmann said. "He knows the obstacles they face, and he teaches his students to overcome them and excel."

Valencia grew up in Royal City, attended BBCC, and graduated from Eastern Washington University. He earned a master's degree from the Tri-Cities branch of Washington State University.

"It's impressive that competing with nominations from more than 30 community and technical colleges, BBCC received so much recognition at the annual awards ceremony," BBCC President Terry Leas said.