Think your life has been challenging lately? Try putting yourself in Linda Long’s shoes over the past year. The director of Disabled Student Services and Programs has raised the bar for professionalism under crisis, and has been named this year’s Outstanding Management Senate Employee-of-the-Year.
According to her nominators, Long’s leadership abilities have shined during budget reductions and low personnel morale. “She listens, empathizes, supports, resolves critical and sensitive dilemmas and advocates effectively – all with quiet optimism, perseverance, support and a smile,” one nominator stated. “Linda represents and advocates for academically at-risk and disabled students at faculty orientations, on college committees and in the Cabinet. She is especially instrumental in implementing the Learning Community initiative among other approaches for academic support.”
Long began at Cuesta in June, 1997, as a part-time instructor for DSPS. She was
named director of that department in January, 2001. She earned her
master’s degree in psychology from Chico State, her bachelor’s
degree in physical education from California State University in San Jose and
her A.A. degree in General Studies from San Bernardino Valley College.