What is the Kathy Osterman Award?
The Kathy Osterman Award: "Recognizing Superior Public Service" program is an important Chicago tradition that was initiated in 1969. The objective of the program is to honor public service employees who have made significant contributions through dedicated efforts. It is also the hope of the program sponsors to promote appreciation of quality in public service and to stimulate young people to choose public service careers

This year twenty-two public service employees are recipients of this prestigious award. These honorees have been nominated by their colleagues because they are dedicated to the principles of public service. Although this program appears to recognize so many individuals, we know that this group merely represents a small cross section of the thousands of dedicated local government employees whose selfless contributions make Chicago and its communities a great place to live, work and visit.

This year the City of Chicago presented the Kathy Osterman Award to the following City Colleges of Chicago Employees..

MARY H. JOHNSON
Executive Assistant to the President
City Colleges of Chicago,
Malcolm X College
In 2002, Ms. Johnson was appointed to her current position as Assistant to the President at Malcolm X College. She plays an integral role in the Office of the President. While consistently maintaining her role as Coordinator/Office manager, Ms. Johnson continued her education, became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity, and earned her Associate Degree in 2001. It was due to her dedication and efficiency that in 2002, she was appointed Assistant to the President. In this role she continues to create and take part in new initiatives to enhance her critical thinking, creativity, conceptual and analytical skills.
She has created and produced office procedures and guide­lines, which have been adopted by many administrative and academic offices throughout the College. As chairperson of the President's Scholarship Gala, Ms. Johnson raised in excess of $40,000 to be used for student scholarships.

She is truly an outstanding employee, as exemplified by the many awards and honors she has received. She has volunteered for many community organizations and serves on various committee boards, such as Tabitha House for Women and Concerned Black Women. Ms. Johnson is active in her neighborhood CAPS program. She also teaches participants in the Mayor's Youth Program and the LINKS Program.

ANNETTE AGUILERA
Administrative Assistant I
City Colleges of Chicago,
Malcolm X College
Ms. Aguilera currently serves as Administrative Assistant for the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Malcolm X College. She began as a college work study student in the fall of 1998, was hired to work part time in December of 1998, and then was promoted to her present position in April 2002.

She has consistently exceeded performance expectations, and has demonstrated integrity in the timely completion of assignments. Her responsibilities are tremendous in scope and importance to the college. She is an integral part of the MXC Academic Affairs Division and is instrumental in assuring the accuracy of the faculty academic load, as related to Union Contract requirements. Ms. Aguilera efficiently facilitates the routine tasks, while effectively dispensing her duties, often in the face of extraordinary challenges.

During the absence of the Dean of Continuing Education, Ms. Aguilera stepped in and successfully performed important functions to maintain the operation of this office in terms of preparing the class schedule; hiring lecturers; and responding to registration issues and problems.

In addition to her valued work at Malcolm X, she volunteers her time for voter deputy registration, tutor's young children in math and assists in collecting supplies for victims of catastrophes.