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: Freweiny (Fifi) Fitwy - October 2025
November 2025 - Kyle McHarris
Santa Rosa Junior College proudly recognizes Kyle McHarris, Theatre Arts Production Specialist in Theatre Arts & Fashion, as the November Employee of the Month.
Since joining SRJC in January 2022, Kyle has made a tremendous impact on the Theatre Arts program, bringing strong organization, creativity, and a calm, steady presence to every production. He designs and builds set pieces for campus shows, teaches students technical theatre skills, and ensures the scenery shop is a safe and efficient workspace for all.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Simi Valley, Kyle graduated from Royal High School before earning his B.A. in Theatre Arts from Sonoma State University. He moved to Sonoma County in 2009 to attend SSU and has worked in construction, theatre production, and as a production manager for an event company, all of which shaped his approach to technical design and hands-on teaching.
Kyle’s supervisor, Kerry Loewen, Dean, Arts and Humanities, praised his transformation of the department’s shop and his leadership: “A walk through the scenery shop is a testament to his organization and adherence to strong safety standards. Before he was hired, the shop was a disorganized mess. He has changed all of that. He’s also a great communicator, faithfully files all paperwork in a timely fashion, and is just an all-around nice guy.”
Respected across the department and in Media Services, Kyle is known for his collaborative spirit and quiet professionalism. “He’s there for every tech rehearsal, sometimes late into the evening,” Dean Loewen shared. “He keeps his area on time and on budget. I’ve never seen Kyle lose his cool, he is the calm in the center of the chaos.”
Kyle believes his success comes from putting students first: “I strive to create an environment that fosters interest in learning skills that can translate directly to our students’ lives and career paths,” he said. His proudest moments come from watching students use those skills in new ways—and, he admits, from pulling off creative feats like installing a working fireman’s pole on stage.
When asked what people might be surprised to learn about his job, Kyle noted how transferable theatre skills can be: “When I started working in construction, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to read building plans because they were structured so closely to theatre build plans.”
Outside of work, Kyle enjoys rock climbing and spending time with his wife and their three-year-old daughter. He says he felt “gratitude” upon learning he had been selected as Employee of the Month.
Kyle’s dedication, craftsmanship, and student-centered approach have made him an invaluable member of Theatre Arts & Fashion. His calm leadership, kindness, and skill reflect the very best of SRJC.
Congratulations, Kyle, and thank you for all that you bring to our students and community!