Basich Receives MCCA Award

Linda Basich, executive assistant for the Workforce Solutions Group at St. Louis Community College, recently received the Missouri Community College Association’s Classified Staff Achievement Award.

The award is presented annually to members of the MCCA's classified staff department who have had a positive impact on their college and the department.

Basich and Rebecca Dennison from Crowder College were named winners from a pool of 11 finalists at the MCCA 58th Annual Convention and Tradeshow awards dinner Nov. 30 in St. Louis.

“It was an honor to be considered as a finalist and a great surprise to win the award,” Basich said. “I have always strived to do my best to assist the students and staff at St. Louis Community College in the best way possible with kindness, compassion and help where I am needed. I truly appreciate this recognition. “

Basich has served in multiple roles since joining the College, also serving as the secretary in the business, math and technology department at Forest Park. She has served in her current role since 2017.

During her time at Forest Park, Basich was outstanding in her interactions with students. If she didn’t know the answer to a question, she would find the correct answer rather than simply telling the person who asked that she didn’t know. She was often tasked with leadership responsibilities beyond her normal duties. For example, when the College transitioned to the Banner Enterprise Resource Planning system, Basich was one of the employees assigned to assist others as they learned the new system.

Basich continued performing at the highest level in her regular executive support duties for the Workforce Solutions Group, but she really excelled in “other duties as assigned,” with three highlights.

• She volunteered as the secretary for the Corporate College Senate to increase her understanding of STLCC’s shared governance model.
• She became an invaluable part of WSG's high-profile annual State of St. Louis Workforce event, handling technical and VIP arrangements for an event that draws over 350 attendees and is broadcast on the local PBS station.
• Most critically, she volunteered to serve as the secretary for STLCC’s COVID-19 Response Team, ensuring that the crucial policy decisions during the pandemic were recorded and disseminated to ensure a safe environment for students and employees. This “probably just short term” effort turned into the work of over two years, and Basich managed it flawlessly with a positive attitude and keen attention to detail.

“I cannot think of an executive assistant who performs more consistently at a high level with a positive attitude than Linda,” said Phyllis Ellison, WSG’s associate vice chancellor.

Other STLCC award recipients were LaRhonda Wilson, associate professor of sociology at STLCC-Florissant Valley who earned the Excellence in Teaching Award; and Marilyn Bush, St. Louis market president of Bank of America who was chosen for the Distinguished Alumni Award.