The inaugural “Resilience Awards” on September 17 were launched by the NOCCCD Women in Power Spaces Initiative (WiPS) in partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in 2026 to recognize NOCCCD employees who have shown leadership and ongoing commitment to addressing gender equity disparities, mentoring women leaders, and rejecting patriarchal discrimination. The four recipients were nominated by their peers through an open process and selected by a WiPS subcommittee.

Award winners were announced at the NOCCCD WiPS conference on September 17th. They received a $250 check from SchoolsFirst and a bottle of Good Money Brands champagne. The centerpiece: a custom medallion. “Medusa has become a rallying figure, representing the collective anger and resilience of women who refuse to be marginalized and respond with defiant resilience towards their oppressors. That’s why we’ve chosen to put her symbol on the medal,” said Kai Stearns Davis, explaining the design.

The first recipient, Dr. Rosie Kar, is an assistant professor in the Ethnic Studies Department and project director of the APIDA Amplified Team at Fullerton College. Her nominator wrote, “Students walk out of her classroom with a newfound voice and envision themselves as future leaders.” Kar shared her grandmother’s advice: “Do no harm and take no s–t from anyone.”

Kelly Robertson, professor and faculty coordinator for the Administration of Justice program, came up through the LAPD when only 7% of officers were women. Her nominator wrote: “Many victims of crime are women who may feel more comfortable speaking and receiving support from female professionals.” In her acceptance speech, Robertson explained that when she came up, only 7% of officers were women. She donated her prize money to the Fullerton College AJ internship program.

Cypress College Financial Aid Director, Gabriela De La Cruz, received multiple nominations from colleagues and students. One nominator wrote, “Because of her leadership and example, I made the decision to re-enroll in school to complete my bachelor’s degree.” De La Cruz noted that financial aid is a white, male-dominated space and sees her role as a woman of color as “a very powerful role of change.”

Bridget Kominek is a Fullerton College professor of English and Faculty Senate President. Her nominator wrote: “She is unapologetically a mother and embraces that identity while serving as an effective and respected leader. She sets an example that we do not have to sacrifice a part of who we are to achieve our goals.” Kominek shared a moment from earlier in the day when her mother said to her, “When I was working at Vons, I had to pump in the bathroom for you.”

The four women embody the WiPS initiative of lifting other women, leading authentically, and pushing institutions toward equity and inclusion. Kim Nicolas of SchoolsFirst told awardees, “It means a lot to be nominated by colleagues and students. It shows the confidence you’ve built in others around you.”