Mission: All Together

Communications

CHESS Spotlight

Stories About Employees Who Shine Bright!

Andrea Gurrola, Pioneering Technologist in Higher Education Enrollment

Andrea Gurrola stands at the forefront of enrollment technology innovation as the Director of Enrollment Technologies at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). With an impressive tenure of 19 years at CNM, Andrea’s journey epitomizes dedication and a passion for leveraging technology to enhance student experiences. In her current role, Andrea leads a dynamic team of Business Analysts within the Office of the Registrar & Enrollment Technology, driving collaboration and support across the entire Enrollment Management & Student Success (EMSS) division.

Andrea’s dedication embodies CNM’s profound impact on its community. Her favorite aspect of working at CNM stems from witnessing firsthand the power of education in countless student stories. CNM’s mission of “creating futures for our learners and partners through leadership in education, training, and innovation,” fuels Andrea’s commitment to excellence in her role.

An exciting aspect of Andrea’s work involves her newly established engagement with CHESS (Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services) and the adoption of Workday. Through CHESS, Andrea finds a supportive community of peers, enabling collaborative exploration of Workday’s potential. Andrea’s role as the Functional Lead for Recruiting and Admissions positions her at the forefront of shaping future student experiences through Workday Student.

For Andrea, Workday represents more than just a software platform—it’s a catalyst for streamlining processes and enhancing transparency. Its intuitive interface empowers users to navigate tasks with ease, fostering efficiency and productivity across departments. As Andrea delves deeper into Workday’s capabilities, she eagerly shares new knowledge with her colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and innovation.

According to Andrea’s CNM colleague Zac Shank, “Andrea cares deeply about the project’s success and the growth and well-being of others. She has a unique ability to bring out the best in others and encourages us all to contribute our best work.”

With a keen eye on the future, Andrea emphasizes the importance of leveraging resources like the Workday Community to maximize the platform’s potential. Through collaboration with CHESS colleagues and engaging with Workday’s expansive support network, Andrea is confidently navigating the transition from legacy systems.

In Andrea’s journey, collaboration is key. She acknowledges the invaluable contributions of her CHESS peers and the dedicated support team, whose insights and expertise have been instrumental in driving CNM towards a successful transition to Workday Student. Together, they move towards a future where technology empowers students and transforms higher education in New Mexico for the better. Andrea Gurrola’s unwavering commitment to innovation and student success continues to inspire those around her, leaving an invaluable mark on the landscape of enrollment technologies in higher education.

For this, Andrea is our newest CHESS Spotlight.

Empowering Success: The Journey of Trish Heaton

Trish Heaton discovered her passion for training and customer service early in her career. As a natural communicator with a knack for simplifying complex concepts, Trish excels in her current role at CHESS as the Talent, Training & Development Officer. With CHESS Trish is reaching new heights in her career. She has been instrumental in building the foundation for the training of Workday’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) module for the employees of our six member colleges. Trish worked collaboratively with our member colleges to obtain this goal and has committed to do this again for Workday Student (SIS) as it is developed.

Trish said, “I have had the pleasure to work side by side with the team members and watch the combined effect of individuals coming together in collaboration. Every member of the training team has shared their talents, skills, and abilities. Creating synergy as a team has led to our success and meeting our goals.”

From the onset, Trish recognized the importance of equipping employees with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate Workday effectively. Drawing on her expertise in HR operations and her intuitive understanding of the system, Trish has developed comprehensive training tailored to different roles and departments within the colleges. Through online workshops, the creation of a self-service tip sheet library, and personalized coaching sessions with Training Team Members, Trish empowers employees at all levels to harness the full potential of Workday in their positions.

As Trish immersed herself in the world of Workday, she became a passionate advocate for the system. With her infectious enthusiasm and patient demeanor, Trish is instrumental in demystifying Workday for even the most apprehensive learners, instilling confidence, and enthusiasm in the training workstream and member college employees.

Today, Trish’s impact as a Workday Trainer has become increasingly evident within CHESS. Employee satisfaction and efficiency soared as individuals embraced Workday as a powerful tool to streamline processes and drive business outcomes. Trish has become a trusted advisor and mentor to colleagues seeking guidance on Workday-related matters. For Trish Heaton, being a Workday Trainer isn’t just about teaching—it’s about team collaboration and empowering others to succeed and thrive in their roles.