Yuba College honors Kenneth Reiersen with Blue and Gold Spirit Award
In IT, every day starts with a problem. This is especially true for Kenneth Reiersen. As a User Support Specialist at Yuba College, Reiersen spends his days helping students, faculty and staff navigate technical issues, from troubleshooting software like Canvas and Microsoft Word to resolving login problems, printing errors and hardware concerns. No two days look the same, but each problem solved plays a role in keeping the college running smoothly.
“I would describe my overall experience working at Yuba as positive, supportive, and rewarding,” Reiersen said.
His favorite part of the job? Helping others.
“My favorite thing about my job is that I can serve others in a meaningful way,” he said. “Resolving a technical issue is challenging and rewarding in itself, but the even better prize is knowing that I made someone’s day a little bit easier.”
His strong mindset is exactly what earned him the Yuba College Blue and Gold Award, a recognition that highlights employees who go above and beyond in their roles.
Reiersen was not expecting this recognition, but he said he was grateful and honored to be recognized for his work.
“I was genuinely surprised by this recognition because I focus on doing my job well and supporting others, without expecting acknowledgement,” he said. “Being recognized in this way was both humbling and encouraging. I’m truly grateful for the support, trust, and collaboration of my colleagues that made this recognition possible.”
Of course, the work comes with its challenges.
“One of the most challenging things in my role as a user support specialist is analyzing information in emails and tickets that are sent to the IT Helpdesk,” he said. “Whenever I encounter a complicated issue, I first identify the initial request so that it’s easier to understand and then I can decide if I’m able to take action.”
When a solution isn’t immediately clear, Reiersen works with his team to move the issue forward.
“If I’m still not able to take action, I discuss it with my team or request more details for clarification until I’m able to take action,” he said.
So what drives that level of dedication? For Reiersen, it comes down to problem-solving and a strong sense of responsibility.
“My dedication comes from a strong sense of ownership and problem-solving,” he said. “Knowing that my work directly supports staff, students, and organizational operations gives my role clear purpose and keeps me engaged.”
In a field where no two days are the same, it’s not hard for Reiersen to stay motivated.
“I stay inspired by the constant problem-solving and learning that comes with working in IT,” Reiersen said. “Every day brings a new challenge, whether it’s helping someone overcome an issue or improving a system to work more efficiently.”
While much of his work happens behind the scenes, Reiersen’s work plays a key role in keeping daily operations running smoothly. Each issue he resolves helps the entire yuba college community stay focused on what matters most.