Each month, Santa Rosa Junior College recognizes excellence on campus with an Employee of the Month Award.
Visit the Employee of the Month Nominations page to find out how to nominate someone you feel deserves this distinction.
Here is a list of past EOM recipients.
Previous recipient: Farrel Dobbins - February 2026
March 2026 - Maria Padilla Campos
Congratulations to Maria Padilla Campos, our March 2026 Employee of the Month! Maria serves as an Admissions & Records Specialist, Bilingual in Admissions & Records at the Petaluma Campus, where her dedication, collaborative spirit, and commitment to student success make a meaningful impact every day.
Maria was born in Mexico and grew up in the Bay Area and Sonoma County. She graduated from Elsie Allen High School and continued her education at SRJC and UC Santa Cruz, earning an Associate of Science in Pre-Allied Health. Before joining SRJC, Maria worked as an office assistant, building a strong foundation in student support and customer service.
Maria joined SRJC in 2009 and has held several roles across the college, including Clerical Assistant (student employee), Human Resources Technician, first as an STNC and then as a Classified Professional, and now Admissions & Records Specialist, Bilingual in Petaluma. Her broad experience across departments has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of college processes and student needs.
In her current position, Maria assists students with registration and enrollment, processes official transcripts, manages accounting tasks, and supports special program registration alongside local high school partners. She also collaborates closely with the SRJC Outreach Team, the Sonoma County Office of Education, and local schools to help Dual Enrollment students successfully navigate onboarding and access early college credit opportunities.
Maria’s supervisor, Denise Cooper, shared, “Maria consistently goes above and beyond in her role. She has become a trusted point of contact for students, teachers, and partners navigating complex Dual Enrollment processes. Her attention to detail, proactive communication, and ability to identify and resolve gaps directly support student access and success.” Her willingness to step in wherever needed and her ability to see the bigger picture have made her an invaluable member of the SRJC Petaluma team.
Maria says her success comes from a simple motivation: “I love helping people.” She considers her greatest accomplishment to be applying her knowledge from multiple departments to guide and support both new and returning students as they work toward their goals. Whether assisting with enrollment, answering general financial aid questions, or helping students navigate next steps, Maria keeps student success at the center of everything she does.
Beyond her daily responsibilities, Maria volunteers with the Caring College and Latinas in Petaluma groups, helping strengthen campus connections and support systems. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, reading, puzzles, and spending time outdoors, along with her large extended family and many pampered pets.
When asked about being named Employee of the Month, Maria shared that she felt “conflicted but very appreciative,” reflecting her humility and quiet dedication to her work.
Congratulations again to Maria Padilla Campos for her outstanding service, teamwork, and lasting contributions to SRJC and the students she supports every day!