When Oakland Community College closes for a snowstorm, there’s one person you can count on to show up on campus - Jim Meixner. For more than four decades, the Grounds Custodial Group Leader has braved freezing temperatures and slick roads to ensure OCC’s parking lots are plowed, and walkways are cleared for returning students and employees. 

Meixner says he can’t imagine working anywhere else than OCC’s beautiful campuses. 

“After a snowstorm and the sun comes up, the sky is the nicest blue and it’s so pretty to see on campus,” he said. 

Meixner began working at OCC in 1980 as a custodian at the Orchard Ridge campus. While there he crossed paths with Administrative Specialist Maureen (Moe) Kane.  

“I’ve always felt that I had an opportunity to learn and grow here,” Kane said. “Some people say, ‘Aren’t you going to retire?’ but I just enjoy coming here. I like what I do, I feel happy, and I think it’s important we have fun.” 

The two employees were recognized for the most years of service during an anniversary and retirement event on Oct. 10 at Orchard Ridge. 

Grounded in OCC for 45 Years 

After his first four years at OCC, Meixner became a groundskeeper at Orchard Ridge. He started out cutting lawns the old-fashioned way with a push mower. He and his team worked over many years to keep the grounds meticulously maintained. In 1992, the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce awarded OCC a Beautification Plaque, which Meixner still proudly displays on his office wall.

Jim Meixner

Jim Meixner, Grounds Custodial Group Leader, has worked at OCC for 45 years.

In 2002, Meixner moved to the Highland Lakes campus as Grounds Custodial Group Leader, overseeing Work Alternative to Misdemeanors (WAM) workers. This group of individuals came to OCC to complete community service pulling weeds, picking up litter, and performing other tasks. He also supervised a crew that busily prepped for concerts at a pavilion near the former High Oaks Hall. High Oaks Hall once attracted ghost seekers and media attention around Halloween, with claims the former tuberculosis sanitarium was haunted. 

“They would want to go in there and asked me if I would let them in because it was locked and I told them ‘No.’ Over the years the interest died off...no pun intended,” he laughed. 

Working at OCC has become a family tradition. Meixner’s son, Matt, works at Orchard Ridge as a Facility Technician. Meixner’s brother once worked as a culinary instructor, and his nephew was a student worker in Grounds. 

Building Connections and Embracing Change 

Kane began her career at OCC 45 years ago as a secretary in the Communications, Arts and Humanities Department at Orchard Ridge, earning $3.65 an hour. She says the wage was good at the time and helped pay the bills. Since then, she has worked at every campus except Royal Oak, holding positions that gave her experience in academics, registration, job placement and business services.

Moe Kane

Maureen Moe Kane, Administrative Specialist in Health Professions, has worked at OCC for 45 years.

“I thought it was important to get to know all the campuses and build a network,” Kane said. “The more people I know, the more beneficial it is for students that I can problem-solve or direct them to the right person for help.” 

Kane said one area that has changed significantly during her tenure is registration. Online registration didn’t exist, and students registered for classes either in person or by mail. She spent many working hours opening and date-stamping hundreds of envelopes, then manually input registration information so students could get the classes they needed to be successful. 

For the past 15 years, Kane has served as an Administrative Specialist in Health Professions at the Southfield campus. 

“I’ve worked with great people and made long-lasting friendships at OCC,” she said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to advance into other positions and take on new challenges in my work. I just enjoy the family-type atmosphere here.” 

Employees empower OCC 

Meixner and Kane were two of approximately 100 employees and retirees recognized at the 2025 Milestones and Retiree Recognition event. 

“We’re all here to celebrate you because you truly empower OCC,” OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano told the crowd. “I want to make sure you all understand that your work here really matters.” 

View photos from the event. 

2025 OCC Milestone Honorees 

The following list of esteemed employees and retirees were recognized on Oct. 10 for their years of service at OCC.   

OCC employees with 10 years' experience.

OCC employees with 10 years of service at the 2025 Employee Recognition event.

45 Years 

  • Maureen Kane – Administrative Specialist II (SF)
  • Jim Meixner – Group Leader, Custodial & Grounds (HL) 

40 Years 

  • Robert Featherstone – Faculty, HVA (AH)  

35 Years 

  • Carole Bennett – Faculty, Communication (OR)
  • Michelle Casanova – Administrative Specialist II (AH)
  • Tim Lepard – Administrative Specialist II (AH)
  • Debbie Swanson – Budget and Financial Planning Manager (AH)  

30 Years 

  • Sue Armstrong – Part-time Secretary (AH)
  • Denise Martin – Faculty, Emergency Medical Services (AH)
  • Mia Reid – Administrative Specialist II (OR)  

25 Years 

  • Cheryl Blake – Employee Services Coordinator, Benefits and Employee & Labor Relations (AH)
  • Kristine Borrayo – Purchasing and Auxiliary Services Assistant (AH)
  • Doris Breece – Mailroom Shipping & Receiving Clerk (AH)
  • Frances Cheung – Paraprofessional, Testing Center (OR)
  • Chuck Flagg – Executive Director of Technology Infrastructure (AH)
  • Mike Freeman – Director of Client Technology (AH)
  • Jeff Gayman – System Administrator (AH)
  • Karyn Holiday – Faculty, English as a Second Language (RO)
  • Mark Hopkins – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Julie Hoyt – Employee Services Manager, Benefits (AH)
  • David Kauffman – Desktop Support Manager (RO)
  • Michele Kersten-Hart – Creative and Web Services Manager (AH)
  • Brandie Malinowski – Paraprofessional, EMT (AH)
  • Leah Michels – Faculty, English (OR)
  • John Mitchell – Faculty, English (OR)
  • Brian Moss – Faculty, Sociology (OR)
  • Kevin O’Connor – Grounds Keeper (HL)
  • Kimberly Robbins – Program Manager, Health Professions (SF)
  • Sarah Rowley – Chief of Procurement and Contracts (AH)
  • Michele Stone – Administrative Specialist II (AH)  

20 Years 

  • Maggie Borowski – Learning Resources Technician (OR)
  • Jack Cronin – Faculty, Humanities (OR)
  • Marlon Cullors – Grounds Keeper (OR)
  • Belynda Rene Gambrell – Admissions Coordinator (OR)
  • Ana Negovani – Accounting Specialist II (AH)
  • Jason Plaskon – Grounds Keeper (AH)
  • Jay Seewald – Construction Project Manager (OR)
  • Nancy Solecki – Accounts Receivable Manager (AH)  

15 Years 

  • Jennifer Barnard – CRM and Outreach Coordinator (AH)
  • Stacy Charlesbois-Nordan – Faculty, English (OR)
  • Cheryl Juliana Casey Decker – Faculty, Psychology (AH)
  • Ryan Dillaha – Faculty, English (RO)
  • Michelle Fether-Samtouni – Faculty, Sociology (AH)
  • Jahquan Hawkins – Dean of Students (OR)
  • Jaimie Henderson – Administrative Specialist II (AH)
  • Kathleen Kelly – Executive Administrator to the Chancellor (AH)
  • Laura L. Kendall – Faculty, Humanities (RO)
  • Wendy Kuhn – Faculty, Biology (OR)
  • Annie Lawson – Faculty, Economics (AH)
  • Joseph Lowry – Faculty, Physics (OR)
  • Dave Nosanchuk – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Renee Oszust – Director of Budget and Financial Planning (AH)
  • Thomas Pryor – Faculty, English (AH)
  • Lindsay Robinson – Administrative Specialist II (OR)
  • Peter Schade – Faculty, Graphic Design (OR)
  • Magdalena Sedzicka – Materials Specialist (SF)
  • Michelle Smith – Custodian (RO)
  • Steve Szokola – Financial Aid Manager, State of Michigan Programs (AH)
  • W. David West – Faculty, Biology (SF)

10 Years 

  • Cameron Berrier – Faculty, Welding Technology (AH)
  • Alfred DeFreece, Jr – Faculty, Sociology (AH)
  • Beau Everitt – Academic Dean, EMIT (AH)
  • Misty Ferrett – Academic Advisor (AH)
  • Bob Kelly – Executive Director of Facilities Operations (RO)
  • Belle Kimmel – Faculty, Mathematics (RO)
  • Sharon Korth – Faculty, English (AH)
  • Rodney Lake – Faculty, Sociology (RO)
  • Rachel Lathrop – Director of Assessment, Accreditation and Quality (AH)
  • Laura Mason – Paraprofessional, Biology (SF)
  • London Mo – Research Analyst (AH)
  • Lonn Monroe – Faculty, Anthropology (AH)
  • Daniel Puig-Pey – Faculty, Mathematics (RO)
  • Nic Rainwater – Program Director, Advanced Police Training (AH)
  • Ellen Robinette – Faculty, Librarian (RO)
  • Nicole Sanders – Student Support Specialist II (OR)
  • Abigail Sandusky – Faculty, Business (RO)
  • Sarah Sidiropoulos – Faculty, Biology (AH)
  • Kanthi Sundar – Learning Resources Technician (OR)
  • Todd Symington – Faculty, Psychology (RO)
  • Nathan Tonning – Faculty, Art (AH) 

2025 Retirees  

  • Erin Abraham – PT Paraprofessional, ASC (OR)
  • Kathleen Andreassi – PT Secretary (AH)
  • Julie Baker-McVeigh – Faculty, Counselor (HL)
  • Nina Barkell – Faculty, Nursing (HL)
  • Linda Britton – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Shari Buttrey – Administrative Specialist I (AH)
  • David Dell – Public Safety Officer (AH)
  • Carol Hufnagel – Student Support Specialist I (R
  • Pam Janczarek – Program Coordinator, EWD (AH)
  • Rob Kangas – Faculty, Photography (RO)
  • Tahir B. Khan – Faculty, CAD & Engineering Technology (AH)
  • Brenda Lowery – Student Engagement Coordinator (OR)
  • Emily McAllister – Faculty, Mathematics (AH)
  • Vicki McNiff – Faculty, Counselor (OR)
  • Steve McRae – Director of Application Services (AH)
  • Steve Messina – ACCESS Coordinator (RO)
  • Deanna Mitchell – Academic Operations Specialist (OR)
  • Bob Montgomery – Vice Chancellor for IT / CIO (AH)
  • Charisse Neal – Administrative Assistant (AH)
  • Doree Nowack – Financial Aid Specialist (RO)
  • Tammy O’Dea – Programmer Analyst (AH)
  • Sonja Phillips – Custodian (AH)
  • Freda Potter-Senior – Mailroom Shipping and Receiving Clerk (OR)
  • Kurt Stanley – Faculty, Biology (OR)
  • Michael Vollbach – Faculty, History (RO) 

About OCC     

Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s  America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.      

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