Kemberly (Kem) Quiroz

Classified

Kemberly (Kem) serves as a Student Services Technician at the Long Beach City College (LBCC) Welcome Center, which serves as a first stop for any new student to our campus. In this role, Kem regularly interfaces with individuals from the general public who want to attend college

Kem’s approach to the work comes from a genuine place of support with student success in mind. Whether Kem is working the front desk, answering phones, or taking a walk during her break, if she sees a student she can offer support to, the student becomes the priority. Kem routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure service to students.

Beyond providing students with the information they need, Kem is also committed to attending to their basic needs. For example, while the college has a robust Basic Needs Center which she works closely with, she went out of her way to create “welcome bags” for housing insecure students who come through the Welcome Center. The bags include a blanket, hygiene products, and some dry food. From her perspective, this bag is designed to provide basic needs to students who may visit the Welcome Center during the hours when the Basic Needs Center may be closed. While it is not a part of Kem’s job to do this, she is fully invested in providing timely and holistic care and support to students. This is an embodiment of equity in support. 

Where Kem really stands apart from others in going the “extra step” is in her generosity toward others. Kem is kind which makes staff feel safe, heard, and supported. She expresses gratitude and appreciation for the work that staff do. She is thoughtful about acknowledging accomplishments, and celebrating special occasions, and is mindful of doing little things that make people feel very important and integral to an operation. Staff enjoy coming to work every day because of the type of environment that she nurtures in the office. Kem has a great gift of building people up and she extends this gift to staff and students.