Colette Berge, interim vice president for Student Services, was named the 2009 Athena Award recipient by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce at their annual Women in Business conference in April.

This prestigious award honors an exceptional community leader from the Pikes Peak Region who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Berge is known for actively mentoring and fostering leadership skills in hundreds of students throughout her tenure at PPCC. She has been a role model, advocate, leader, surrogate parent, and guide to countless students, many of whom have gone on to become community leaders in their own right.

The Athena Award is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities throughout the United States and internationally. By honoring exceptional leaders, the Athena Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.