Leona Vassale
Disability Specialist, Disabled Student Services
Leona Vassale is a Disability Specialist in the Disability Resource Center. She's
an alumnus of RCCD and began as a student worker in DSPS. That experience helped her
realize she wanted to devote herself to helping students with a documented disability
overcome barriers and reach their potential. She has a graduate degree in Clinical
Psychology MFT/PCC and is an advocate for her student population working with the
college community to enhance programs and services to increase equity and access for
her students.
Leona also supports students through the CARE Network, helping those who are in distress
get the help they need before harming themselves. She uses her skills to be a mentor,
friend, and ear to her classified professional family and helps guide students through
higher education. She is very involved on campus in the Institutional Effectiveness
& Governance Council (IEGC), College Council, the Classified Senate, the Shared Governance
Committtee, and is the NC Member-at-Large for CSEA 535
Leona was selected the 2022 Classified Professional of the Year.
Leona Vassale Selected RCCD’s 2023 Classified Employee of the Year
Norco College’s Leona Vassale, a disability specialist, has been selected as Riverside Community College District’s Classified Employee of the Year. Vassale, who has been with the District for 19 years was the nominee from Norco College. Candidates from the other RCCD colleges were also considered for this top honor including Moreno Valley College’s Noelle Hansen, a graduate of the College who works as a web applications technician in Technology Support Services, and Riverside City College’s Kwong Lai, an analyst for Information Technology.
By virtue of being named the District’s Classified Employee of the Year, Vassale advances to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to be considered for the statewide award.
“Leona was one of the first employees to greet and acclimate me to the campus culture and resources when I first stepped foot on the Norco campus,” Monica Green, Ed.D., president of Norco College, said. “Leona is a Norco Mustang at heart, and she is truly dedicated to this District. She continues to serve in a number of leadership roles and is a fearless student advocate.”
At the May 2008 Board of Governors meeting, the Classified Employee of the Year Awards were created through a resolution. The award has been presented annually since May 2009 to honor community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to the Vision for Success, the mission of the California Community Colleges system and their district. Award recipients are selected by representatives from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, Consultation Council, and the Chancellor’s Office.
The Classified Employee of the Year Awards are supported through a grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Each recipient will receive a $750 cash award and a commemorative plaque.
Vassale began her career at the District as a student worker in Disabled Student Programs and Services and realized she wanted to devote herself to helping students with documented disabilities to overcome barriers and reach their potential. She earned her associate degree in social and behavioral sciences and a bachelor's degree in business management organizational psychology followed by a master’s degree in clinical psychology. In the College’s submission, Vassale was noted for being an advocate for her student population and working with the college community to enhance programs and services through the Disability Resource Center to help provide equity and access for her students.
Patti Brusca, who nominated Vassale, said, “Many students attribute their success to her help to access support in the classroom and through tools and resources outside the classroom. She makes a difference in students' lives every day.”
Vassale has been active on campus, serving on the Institutional Strategic Planning Council, Grants Committee, Institutional Effectiveness and Governance Council, and the Marketing Committee. She also serves on the CARE Network, working across the campus with the intention of assessing individuals-of-concern and ensuring that each student has access to the best possible support.
Brusca, an assistant in the Student Success and Support Program, said, “Vassale regularly works with a population of students who have documented disabilities. Leona is perfect for this role and works with this team weekly to support and connect those individuals to resources as necessary; develop preventative identification, education and response strategies; and follows up with individuals of concern.”
Vassale is an active member of CSEA Chapter 535. She served as vice president at Norco College from 2011-14, then president at the District from 2014-15. When the College had a vacancy for the member-at-large position in the summer of 2021, she did not hesitate to step up in that support role. She has also volunteered in the community, serving as a Girl Scout Troop leader for three years with the local Daisy and Brownie troops in Corona. She has also volunteered in her church, St. Matthews Catholic Church in Corona, during mass. She has regularly walked in Lake Norconian 5K Walks in support of the Norco Kiwanis Club.
“When I found out I was nominated by my peers, I was overwhelmed and flattered,” Vassale said. “I am deeply honored that my peers felt I have the qualities to be classified employee of the year. It is something that I will carry with me forever."