Karina Gonzalez
Heller Bianca Lopez1-1-1-1
Barbra Heller Senior Secretary of Academic Affairs has been a member of the Pierce staff for 26 years and enjoys every minute of it.
Heller moved from New York to California in 1981. Her husband Stan Heller had relocation with his job. It was then that she saw the school and thought “That looks likes a nice place to work.”
“So I went in and asked how I could apply for a job and since then it has been a pleasure working here” she had stated. Heller tries to go to every performing arts offered at Pierce and encourages everyone to try and go.
Her First 16 years at Pierce were in the Administration with Phil Stein. It was in 1991 that she switched to the Academic Affairs with Paul Whalden. Heller’s collogue Ester Cohen states “She’s smart and just real nice to work with and loves to read.” Cohen has worked with Heller since Heller switched to Academic Affairs but has been with Pierce for 38 years.
Heller has always played and active part in the college life. When Pierce let women take classes she enrolled in women’s history which she stated “I think everyone should take it, even men.”, and also enrolled in physical education classes and aerobics through out the years.
Heller recalls that there was staff development in the past where guest speakers would come, one of which was her mother who was in her 90’s. “It was a good thing to have and I wish that it would have kept going.” She plans to start it once again in the spring semester.
Heller has three children. Her youngest son Stuart Heller lives in Florida. Her middle son Howard Heller lives in New York. Her daughter Robin and her husband Jeff also live in New York with their two children Russall and Marni.
It was 6 years ago on September 11 that Howard was late for an appointment that spared his life. Barbra Heller stated “He wont tell me why he was late, but I’m thankful that he was or he wouldn’t be here today.” Every year she remembers that day and how her sons’ life was spared.
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