Meet the 2026 Award Recipients
Acting President David Wain Coon has selected four members of the campus community to receive this year's President's Award for Outstanding Service, which honors De Anza employees who have provided exceptional service to the college and its students.
Pippa Gibson, Manisha Karia, Lisa Ly and Flora Payne were selected from nominations submitted in the categories of faculty member, classified professional, administrator and executive assistant.
The award was first established by De Anza's founding president, A. Robert DeHart. Recipients have their names engraved on a plaque in the Administration Building lobby. In addition, each award winner will be featured in this year's graduation program and will receive $250 from Acting President Coon personally, as a token of appreciation for their service.
Pippa Gibson
Executive Assistant, Finance and Administrative Services
Over the past 25 years, Pippa Gibson has been a trusted and friendly presence in the
Finance and Administrative Services Office, consistently supporting both the college and district teams.
She is deeply knowledgeable, well organized, dependable and always willing to help colleagues or provide guidance, making her the campus and district go-to person at De Anza. Her warm personality and quick British wit bring brightness to even the busiest days. Through her dedication, professionalism and cheerful attitude, she has had a positive impact on the entire college community.
Gibson stands out as an exceptional individual, ensuring smooth operations and creating a warm, welcoming environment.
"In just one year working alongside Pippa, I have come to appreciate the tremendous impact she has on our institution,” said Farhad Sabit, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services. “Her expertise, professionalism and selfless dedication make her not only an exceptional executive assistant but also a treasured member of our college community."
Manisha Karia
Dean, Business, Computer Science and Applied Technologies
Manisha Karia has served De Anza College for nearly a decade as a business instructor
and academic leader, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world experience
and career success. Before joining De Anza, Karia built a diverse career spanning
higher education, business consulting and entrepreneurship.
Since becoming dean of Business, Computer Science and Applied Technologies in 2023, she has provided leadership for some of the college's most dynamic and rapidly evolving programs.
She has been instrumental in securing and managing critical workforce grants to support students. This includes being part of the team that spearheaded the Industry Driven Regional Collaboratives grant to upgrade Design and Manufacturing Technologies Department curriculum, as well as directing the Metallica Scholars Initiative grant, which provides vital scholarships for students training as Electric Vehicle technicians and Computer Numerical Control machinists.
Her goal is not only to help students think creatively and integrate theory with practical applications, but also to build their abilities as future managers. She is also recognized for her work with students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
“Manisha often says that her goal is to make her Division of Business, Computer Science and Applied Technology the best academic environment in the country, and the world,” said Ram Subramaniam, vice president of Instruction. “The passion with which she approaches her work is inspiring and clearly positions her to be well on her way to achieving her goal.”
Karia demonstrates this commitment through creative, student-centered initiatives such as DA Hacks, the Business Model Canvas Competition and the De Anza Innovation Center, while also helping secure industry partnerships that strengthen these types of programs and create meaningful opportunities for students.
Lisa Ly
Acting Director, Institutional Research and Planning
For over a decade, Lisa Ly has been in institutional research, helping make sense
of the data behind program reviews, compliance and everyday requests. This year, she
stepped into the role of acting director of Institutional Research, Planning and Accreditation. For the first few months in this role, Ly was the sole researcher for De Anza, continuing
to do her job as an analyst and also filling in as the acting director of Institutional
Research.
“Lisa’s thoroughness, attention to detail and ability to ask tough questions when tackling serious problems make her an invaluable member of the IR office,” said Ram Subramaniam, vice president of Instruction.
As the classified tri-chair of the Resource Allocation and Program Planning (RAPP) governance team, Ly serves as a bridge between RAPP and the Classified Senate, ensuring colleagues stay connected and part of the conversation. She is currently focusing her efforts on comprehensive program review planning, student learning outcomes and Vision-Aligned Reporting (VAR).
While she loves crossing the finish line on a project, Ly says what truly energizes her is the people. Her favorite part of the job is bringing folks from different units together, building genuine team connections and collaborating side-by-side to support student success.
Flora Payne
Counselor/Faculty Coordinator, Guardian Scholars and NextUp Programs
Flora Payne has created meaningful opportunities for her Guardian Scholars and NextUp students since joining De Anza College in fall 2022. She dedicates herself to understanding
and supporting their unique personal, academic and vocational aspirations, fostering
an environment where all students feel seen, valued and empowered.
Payne’s commitment shows clearly through the support she provides foster youth, including comprehensive, one-on-one counseling sessions; interactive workshops focused on life and career skills; targeted counseling classes; and thoughtfully organized college tours designed to nurture a sense of belonging and broaden students’ perspectives on their educational possibilities.
With experience across various departments, Payne collaborates with off-campus organizations serving foster youth, connecting students to vital community resources. She also maintains on-campus connections by serving on committees focused on student needs and institutional initiatives such as the district’s Affordable Housing Task Force and the General Education Review Committee. Looking ahead, Payne remains committed to improving support for her students and the campus community.
“Flora is one of the most dedicated, compassionate and professional counselors I have had the pleasure of working with,” said Michele LeBleu-Burns, vice president of Student Services. “She demonstrates true commitment to her students' success in the many ways she supports them on a day-to-day basis. Flora is an asset to the college, and we are fortunate that we have someone of her caliber working with our students."