Dr. Samuel Coleman, Assistant Dean of Student Services, was recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Support of the Guard and Reserve as being a Patriotic Employer for his support of colleague Matthew Benko, a Pennsylvania Air National Guard service member.
A Montgomery County Community College employee is being honored for his support and dedication to his colleague who is currently serving in the military.
Dr. Samuel Coleman, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, was recently recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Support of the Guard and Reserve as being a Patriotic Employer. Coleman was nominated for the award by Master Sgt. Matthew Benko, Manager of Veterans Services and Judicial Affairs and a member of the Delaware Air National Guard- 166th Airlift Wing, 142 Airlift Squadron.
Coleman received a certificate celebrating his efforts “for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve Force.” Additionally, he received letters of thanks from members of the Pennsylvania Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
“This is such an important part of the support of our Service Members to know that their employer has their back while they serve our country,” wrote Martin Kuhar, State Chairman, Pennsylvania Committee, ESGR
“The award,” wrote U.S. Army Maj. Gen. (Retired) Wesley E. Craig, PA ESGR South East Chairman, “…reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leave of absence if needed.”
Coleman was completely surprised by the award and thanked Benko for his kindness in nominating him, but said he wasn’t looking for credit for just doing his job.
“I’m the kind of guy, I do things because they need to be done. I’m not looking for recognition,” he said. “The thank you to me is great. Matt (Benko) and I have developed a great working relationship. We talk candidly. I told him ‘You didn’t have to do this. It’s just me being a supervisor but thank you.’ He went out of his way when he found this and recommended his employer and supervisor for this. For me, the College, we do a lot to make sure everyone is supported and go above and beyond for veterans.”
Benko said he regularly receives orders to leave work in order to maintain training
or deploy around the world and Coleman and the College make sure he is supported no
matter what. For example, last summer, he received orders to help with hurricane relief
efforts that forced him to be out of the office for the entire month of July.
“Sam (Coleman) has been incredibly understanding and flexible in adjusting the schedule,” said Benko, who has served in the Air National Guard for over 13 years, with an additional four years of active service prior to joining the Air National Guard. Benko’s combined years of service are 17. “Everyone at the College has been very understanding.”
This isn’t the first time Montgomery County Community College has been recognized for its support of military service members and veterans.
Most recently, in 2019, MCCC was formally designated by the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) as a Pennsylvania National Guard Associations Guard Friendly School, for exceeding the 10 baseline criteria to create a supportive learning environment to assist members of the Pennsylvania Guard pursuing post-secondary degrees. The College was one of only 30 schools selected out of 480 eligible schools to earn the distinction.
PNGAS is a non-profit organization, not associated with or legally connected to the Pennsylvania National Guard, the state or federal government, the U.S. Military or the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs