Grounds maintenance worker Juan Patino spends his days clearing walkways, trimming shrubs, and setting up gopher traps. So he was shocked to hear the college president is nominating him for a statewide award.

Patino has worked at City College for 36 years. His dedication to the campus comes from a deep care for his co-workers, students and the learning environment.

“He is one of our grounds employees who greets everyone with such a great deal of warmth and makes our grounds shine in support of teaching and learning,” Superintendent-President Dr. Lori Gaskin said.

The winner of the award will be announced and honored at the May Board of Governors meeting Friday, March 15.

The California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year award’s guidelines state that the nominee must be committed to the fundamental principals of the college, motivated and interested in his or her job and willing to work for the benefit of the institution as a whole.

“He exemplifies the spirit of SBCC that excellence really starts the second a student steps onto campus,” Gaskin said.

Patino, a Santa Barbara County native, is a self-described family man. After graduating high school, he sought out a job to support his blossoming family. Today, he still looks forward to coming home and spending time with them every day.

Although he was an honorable mention for the prestigious nomination in 2009, he expressed a great deal of surprise when he was chosen this year.

“At the end of the safety meeting, Julie Hendricks, our director boss, shows up and she’s describing this nomination and she had us in awe and suspense as she’s describing it and then I heard my name. I was just shocked. I couldn’t believe it,” said Patino.

His assigned working areas are the main entrance, bridge, tennis courts, stairways, half of Loma Alta Drive and Cliff Drive.

“I do what I’m told and what they expect of me and do the best I can at it,” said Patino. “There’s always something to do. There’s never a dull moment.”

Patino’s main focus has always been keeping the campus safe and ensuring the grounds reflect a stable learning environment.

“We live in a very safe town and we want to keep it like that so we do our best to keep everybody safe here. I picture myself as a student walking at night and I want to make sure there’s good lighting and that the walkways are clear,” said Patino.

At the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, board President Marty Blum said Patino was the one person she knew on the grounds because of his personable nature.

In response to Blum’s comment, Patino said, ”Well, I just reflect what is shown to me when I come here to work. It’s a great place and there are great people to work with.”