To all the Management and Supervision Certificate Program Graduates

Lisa Almaguer

I started my journey with Alameda County in March 1995 and my career with the Social Service Agency in February 2002. It has provided me with experience and opportunities to grow and learn. I decided to take the Supervisory Management Certificate and I am so grateful that I did. The coursework will help me with my professional and personal life. I learned a lot about myself and people in general. I had many “aha” moments through the process. Timing is everything and with the Pandemic starting in February 2020, it was an easy choice to start this fully online program in March of 2020. This was a wise use of my time during the lockdown and I feel really great about the accomplishment. Professor Glosson was supportive and kind. I made new friends and look forward to meeting my classmates in person around our County buildings in the future. This experience has left me encouraged an hopeful; I realize that I enjoy participating in classes. I can say with sincerity that this entire process has been fun.

Jay'mesha Brown

Bio- I started my career with Alameda County in 2014 as an Eligibility Technician. I currently hold the position of Eligibility Services Technician IV. I have enjoyed working with the county and helping to service the community that I grew up in. I decided to participate in the Management and Supervision program as a jumpstart to becoming a leader within Alameda County. I joined this cohort as a way strengthen my natural leadership qualities and acquire new ones. It is imperative to me to be the best version of myself in whatever capacity I am in. This experience has been worth every late night and early morning. I am excited about the future and what is to come for me. Although I am naturally a leader, I am looking forward to landing my first management position to be able to apply all that I have learned throughout this journey. I will continue to cultivate my leadership skills and qualities to be a well-rounded and adaptable leader. I want to inspire my children to know they can do anything they put their minds to if their Mommy can. I would like to thank Professor Glosson for her dedication and commitment to us and congratulate to my classmates on a job well done.

Fatina Crawford

I have been employed with Alameda County Social Services now for 2+ years. I previously was employed with Contra Costa County Social Services for 2 years as an EST I. I enjoy working for Social Services because I really enjoy helping others. I was told by a co-worker who had participated in the Management and Supervision Certificate Program, that it’s a great program, but most times there is a wait list. I was extremely excited when I was accepted into the program and I am now more knowledgeable regarding Supervision & Management. I am not sure what I want to do next, but I can honestly say that this is a very amazing and rewarding program.

Cecilla De Leo

I wanted to challenge myself by taking on something new with the Management and Supervision Certificate Program. I’m so glad I did! I have truly enjoyed this journey. I have had the opportunity to meet a great group of interesting classmates and a wonderful teacher. Professor Kimberly Glossom had many life experiences to reflect on and used them to share her insights and wisdom.

I now have this accomplishment that is one positive aspect I can be proud of in 2020-21. We should all be proud that we were able to accomplish this during a trying and difficult time with so many uncomfortable changes we had to deal with around us. This experience has given me a new outlook on life! It has pushed me out of my comfort zone to say the least! This has been a liberating feeling like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon!

This is only a beginning into the journey that I am proud to say I will continue to pursue. I want to congratulate my fellow classmates in this cohort, on their accomplishments and a job well done!

Arlena Harrison

This Management and Supervision Program has proved to be extremely rewarding. I have been in service with SSA for 11 years now. So, after years of passing the opportunity up, either due to bad timing or just plain hesitancy, I am glad that I finally made the commitment. Throughout this course I have gained a lot of tools and knowledge that I can effectively utilize throughout my career. To my surprise and delight, I have also come away with some highly beneficial tools for life. Thank you to Professor Kim Glosson and all my fellow Cluster 15 associates for a great experience. Here’s to plenty of personal and professional success for everyone!

Willene Jeannette Howard

I have worked in local government since 1999 when I started with the City of Santa Clara as an Office Specialist II. I worked there for over 10 years and I have worked for the City of Dublin, the County of Sacramento, Employment Development Department, and now with Alameda County. I started with Alameda County Social Services Agency as a Clerk II in December 2014. I promoted to Eligibility Services Technician in August 2015. I am excited to be a part of this Management and Supervision Certificate Program because it will help me improve my skill set here in the county. So that I can better serve our community. I plan on completing my educational goals by pursuing my AA Degree and then a Bachelor’s Degree. This Certificate Program has made me excited again about school.

Rosa Perez

I currently work at Alameda County Social Services as a Eligibility Service Technician. I have been employed at the county for 9 years and have extensive experience working in the social services field specifically in Oakland, my hometown. I have 30 years work experience, working for profit and non-profit companies. I am currently a student at Laney College and I am determined to transfer to a 4 year college to pursue a degree in psychology. My goal is to continue my career with Alameda County and to promote in a capacity of supervision where I can humbly share my knowledge with those I cross paths with and leave an undeniable impression. In the meantime, I would like to continue my service in the community where I grew up impacting those I serve directly or indirectly. In these trying times I feel extremely proud to receive a certificate from the Management Program as I’ve used it as a stepping stone to continue my education. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering at the voting polls, working as tax preparer for VITA and most recently working at the COVID vaccine sites and spending time with my children and grandchildren.