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: Carol Ann Dolinsek - May 2025
June 2025 - Erick Fernandez Bonilla
It is an honor to celebrate Erick Fernandez Bonilla as our August 2025 Employee of the Month!
Erick serves as a Student Success Specialist I in the Counseling Department, where his empathy, innovation, and commitment to student equity have made a meaningful and lasting impact on SRJC’s student community.
Erick was born and raised in El Salvador before moving to the United States at age 14 and settling in Sonoma County. After graduating from Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, Erick began at SRJC, where he thrived as a member of the Puente program and earned two associate degrees: an AA-T in Sociology and an AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences. He later transferred to UC Berkeley, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Erick began his professional career with SRJC in 2021 as a peer coach, then a Cleared4 support technician in 2022. He has been a Student Success Specialist in the Counseling Department since 2023. Some of his duties include hiring and training front desk staff, coordinating workshops, managing communications and data reporting, and helping lead initiatives to improve the student experience.
One such initiative was the creation of the Welcome & Connect Center Annex, inspired by Erick’s insight that many students, especially first-generation and Spanish-speaking students, struggled to navigate between key services. His idea was to bring counseling closer to students. That idea became a reality, and today the Annex stands as a model of how listening to student voices can shape lasting, inclusive change.
Erick’s journey from SRJC student to student advocate is both inspiring and full circle. He shared, “SRJC gave me a sense of belonging when I felt like an outsider. Now, my goal is to give that same experience to others.” Whether he’s supporting lifelong learners in Spanish, troubleshooting website issues, or simply offering encouragement, Erick’s daily work reflects his deep dedication to equity, community, and belonging.
His colleagues are equally enthusiastic in their praise:
“Erick epitomizes what it means to be a leader, a teacher, a role model, and a friend.” – Kole Christen, Peer Coach
“He has created the front desk space as a place of respect, efficiency, and good vibes.” – Liz Giron, Counseling Faculty
“It has been a pleasure to see him develop into the young professional that he is today.” – Roberto Alvarado, Puente Faculty
When asked how he felt about this recognition, Erick said, “I was in disbelief, but excited. I hope I can continue to help our amazing student population.”
Outside of work, Erick enjoys playing guitar, photography, hiking, the beach, and spending time with his family.
Congratulations to Erick Fernandez Bonilla, a passionate student advocate, respected colleague, and shining example of SRJC’s mission in action. We are proud to recognize his contributions and grateful for the many ways he uplifts our campus community.