Employee Spotlight: Eric Fian, Instructional Assistant
Eric Fian, an instructional assistant at the Rockville Testing Center, has spent nearly 13 years at Montgomery College building a career rooted in resilience, growth, and a strong commitment to student success. He began as a part-time employee in the Testing Center and navigated early challenges by learning available systems and building strong relationships across the College. Over time, cross-training and collaboration enabled him to better support both students and colleagues.
Inspired by his experience as an international student, Eric is driven to guide others through their academic path. He takes pride in supporting students from placement testing through graduation and often serves as a trusted resource along the way.
Eric values teamwork and credits his colleagues with creating a supportive environment where challenges are shared and successes are celebrated. His advice to new employees is simple: learn your role, ask for help when needed, and stay engaged.
Outside of work, Eric is proud of bringing his wife to the United States, a meaningful personal milestone. His story reflects dedication, compassion, and the lasting impact of supporting others.
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Payroll: Time Guidance for Code Orange and Code Red on March 16
Due to the College closure and Code Orange status on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 7 a.m. to Noon, and then Code Red status from Noon to 11 p.m., please note the following timekeeping guidance:
• Regular staff, department chairs, and administrators:
- For applicable Code Orange hours, approved teleworkers who were able to work should enter Regular Hours worked, if applicable. Non-teleworkers and teleworkers who were unable to work should enter Operational Status Change Time Off (OSCTO).
- For applicable Code Red hours, enter OSCTO.
- Enter OSCTO requests in Workday for all affected hours.
• Faculty: No action required.
• Casual temps and student workers: No work or time entry during closure. No action required, unless scheduled hours were previously entered before the closure, in which case, these hours must be deleted.
If you were already on approved Time Off, update your Time Off request (i.e., cancel the other Time Off and replace with Operational Status Change Time Off for the applicable amount of time based on your work schedule).
Although the college was closed, non-essential employees who teleworked should report their regular hours and OSCTO for any differences. Essential personnel who worked onsite during the Code Orange or Red status are eligible for essential pay.
Please make your applicable time and time off entries and/or corrections before the standard timesheet approval deadline of Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Noon.
Resources for Time Entry can be accessed on the Payroll page of the HRSTM website, under Hourly Timekeeping Resources, then College Closure and Essential Pay Guides:
• Color Code and Holiday Guidance, All Employees, which is available in English and Spanish.
• Color Code and Holiday Guidance, Essential Employees by Shift, which is available in English and Spanish.
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Cigna Website Maintenance Update on March 29
Cigna will be performing routine maintenance to the myCigna website on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Access to coverage information and ID cards may be interrupted from 6 a.m. to Noon, while they make improvements.
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Celebrate March Heritage Months with MC Library
March is Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month. MC Library invites employees to explore curated displays and resources highlighting the history, culture, and contributions of women and Irish Americans.
Visit any campus library location to browse featured book and film displays, or explore the online Women’s History and Irish American Heritage guides. The guides include recommended books and e-books, streaming films, research resources, and connections to local organizations.
Employees are encouraged to explore these resources for personal enrichment and share them with students interested in learning more about these heritage months.
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SRA and Roth Information Sessions
Montgomery College employees are invited to attend an information session covering recent updates to the College's Supplemental Retirement Accounts (SRA), including the additional option to make Roth contributions and federal requirements that apply to some employees. Two (2) sessions are available, and both will cover the same information.
Upcoming Sessions
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 10–11 a.m. Register here.
• Thursday, April 2, 2026, 3–4 p.m. Register here.
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A DATA ROCKS Session: Data-Informed Decision-Making with Dr. Tiffany Ray-Patterson
Join Dr. Tiffany Ray-Patterson, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, for an engaging discussion on the important decisions she would never make without data. In a time of limited resources, evolving student needs, and growing accountability, data-informed decision-making is essential. The choices we make every day shape student success and the effectiveness of our operations.
Monday, April 6, 2026, 2–3 p.m.
Germantown Campus, Bioscience Education Center (BE), Room 151
Topics include:
• Enrollment management and student momentum
• Retention, persistence, and completion strategies
• Program development, evaluation, expansion, and when to pivot
• Policies that shape the student experience
• Budget decisions and resource alignment
Participants will gain practical insight into how data supports major decisions, connects division initiatives to measurable outcomes, and strengthens the College’s culture of accountability and impact. Register here.
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MC Wellness: March Updates
Stay engaged this month with wellness opportunities designed to support your health and well-being. Join upcoming activities, including a weight loss meet-up, biometric screenings, a live cooking demonstration, and campus wellness walks.
Employee Weight Loss Meet-Up with Coach Elyse
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–Noon. To RSVP, contact Megan Cooperman.
Biometric Screenings: Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Van
Free for employees, spouses, retirees, and students. Schedule a 15-minute appointment here.
• Monday, March 30, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, outside the Charlene R. Nunley Student Services Center (ST).
• Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Germantown Campus, in front of the Bioscience Education Center.
Cooking Demonstration: Colon and Gut Health with Alana Sugar, RN
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Noon–1 p.m., Central Services (CT), S108
Join Alana Sugar for a live cooking demonstration focused on colon and gut health. Attend in person or join on Zoom here.
National Walking Day – Walk and Talk Wellness
Join Megan Cooperman for a campus wellness walk and informal conversation. Weather permitting. To participate, RSVP here. Walks may be canceled if no one registers. If you do not see your location, contact Megan Cooperman to schedule a date.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
• Central Services, 11:30 a.m.–12:05 p.m. Meet in the lobby.
• Rockville Campus, 1–1:35 p.m. Meet in front of the Student Services Building (SV).
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, Noon–12:35 p.m. Meet in front of the Student Services Building (ST).
• Germantown Campus, 2:30–3 p.m. Meet in front of the Bioscience Education Center (BE).
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Retirement Planning Webinars with Equitable
Montgomery College employees are invited to join Equitable for a retirement planning webinar focused on understanding your retirement benefits and planning for the future. Two (2) sessions are available, and both will cover the same information.
Topics include:
• Maryland State Pension System: How the pension works and key considerations for maximizing your benefit.
• Saving for Retirement: Supplemental savings options and strategies for long-term financial security.
• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP): How the ORP works and how it compares to the pension.
• Portfolio Strategies: Align investments with your risk tolerance, goals, and timeline.
• Withdrawal Strategies: Tax-efficient ways to access retirement funds.
• Action Steps: Clear next steps for planning your financial future.
Upcoming Sessions
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 5–6 p.m. Register here.
• Friday, April 24, 2026, 1–2 p.m. Register here.
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Reminder: Register for Take A Child To Work Day by March 27
Montgomery College will participate in the National Take A Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 23, 2026, giving employees an opportunity to share their workplace with their children and introduce them to different career paths.
Designed for children ages 8–13, this annual event offers a fun and engaging way for children to explore future career possibilities while learning more about where their parents or guardians work.
The event will take place at the Rockville (RV), Takoma Park/Silver Spring (TP/SS), and Germantown (GT) campuses, Central Services (CT), and the East County Education Center (ECEC).
Registration is required and closes on Friday, March 27, 2026. Register and complete the waiver using the Take A Child to Work Day Pre-Registration Form.
If you have any questions, please contact Karla Silvestre.
If you have questions, please contact Events.
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Your Voice Matters in Shaping Our Chapters
As part of Montgomery College’s Middle States Self-Study, draft chapters will soon be available for community review. This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to read, reflect, and provide feedback to help ensure the self-study accurately represents the College.
The self-study is a collaborative process, and your perspective is important. Additional details on how to access and review chapters will be shared soon.
To learn more, visit the Middle States Accreditation Self-Study website.
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Important DatesMarch 1–31
Thursday, March 26
Friday, March 27
Payroll Zoom Office Hours,
10 a.m.–Noon. Join the Waiting Room.
Take A Child To Work Day Registration Deadline. Register here.
Saturday, March 28
Tuesday, March 31
SSA and Roth Updates Information Session,
10–11 a.m. Register here.
Thursday, April 2
Faculty Council, Noon–2 p.m. Join the meeting here.
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Staff and Administrators
- Department Chairs (internal posting through March 31, 2026)
- Department Chair – Counseling and Advising (internal posting through March 31, 2026)
- Department Chair – Counseling, Disability Support Services (internal posting through March 31, 2026)
- Director, Infrastructure and Network Engineering
- IT Workday Manager
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Visit Careers at MC to view the current academic and staff openings.
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Become a Contributor for Employee MattersInterested in submitting an employee-related article or becoming a regular contributor to Employee Matters?
We welcome your ideas and stories. Please submit articles to Tiffani Smith, Wednesdays by noon for consideration in an upcoming issue.
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Emergency Evacuation Accommodation All employees should have an emergency evacuation plan. Employees who may need assistance during an evacuation due to a disability should iemergency planning.
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MC Wellness provides free fitness classes, workout videos, wellness challenges, health events, and campus gym access for MC employees, spouses, and retirees to support your physical and mental well-being.
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Join the MC Employees Facebook Group
Join. Like. Comment. Share.
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