Cage, Hart, Lindley recognized for work with students
Three Del Mar employees were recently honored at the seventh annual Del Mar College DisAbility Advocate of the Year celebration.
The college’s Disability Services Office annually invites students served by the DSO to write in nominations for faculty or staff who they feel have impacted their life in a positive manner.
“I feel that my job is to be an advocate for any student that comes to talk to me. It can be academics, social, mental or physical assistance. It’s my job to be of service.” said Beverly Cage, director of Campus Life & Student Leadership, and one of this year’s DMC DisAbility Advocate of the Year Award recipients.
Cage went above and beyond to inspire the students she works with. She made her nominator feel incredibly welcomed and hopeful for the future.
“I remember leaving her office and feeling a spark of hope,” said the student who nominated her. “I felt that for the first time someone saw me beyond my disability.”
Nominations are typically scored by a panel composed of one DSO staff member, a Del Mar College administrator and one student served by DSO. According to Brenda Garcia, a specialist at the DMC Disability Services Office, there was no student involved in the panel for 2020.
“I always try to consider things from the students’ perspectives,” says Brian Hart, history professor and one of this year’s recipients. “It’s something that I always try to keep front and center as I develop courses.”
Hart was said to be helpful and kept students engaged “in a creative and meaningful way” by his student nominator.
Dan Lindley, associate professor of chemistry, was said to be “an extreme amount of help” and considered to be “very flexible” by his student nominator.
“All students deserve the opportunity to succeed,” Lindley said. “I am honored to receive this award because it is so unexpected! I have always tried to be a conscientious advocate for our students with disabilities, and just consider this to be an important part of my role here at DMC.”
Though there will not be a ceremony this year because of the pandemic, the winners will receive a lapel pin and have their name engraved on the plaque within the DSO workspace at the East Campus.
For more information on the services provided by the Disability Services Office, visit www.delmar.edu/offices/disability/index.html.
