Seferovic Honored with 2025 Chancellor's Commendation for Military Veterans

Southwest honored Esma Seferovic with the 2025 Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans during a Veterans’ Day Celebration at the Macon Cove Campus.

Seferovic, who served in the United States Navy from 1986 to 1991 as a Culinary Specialist, was recognized for her dedication to service and her ongoing impact on the Southwest community. In the Navy, she managed food service operations to ensure sailors received nutritious meals in every environment. She received specialized training in supply management, sanitation and plating, and learned that her role was not only to provide nourishment but also to support morale.

Her service took her across Europe, Asia and the Pacific, where she discovered new cuisines and deepened her love for cooking and travel. She recalls these experiences, along with meeting new people, as highlights of her military career.

After leaving the Navy, Seferovic worked in local restaurants while raising her family. In 2017, she joined Southwest’s Food Services department, where she quickly became a visible and uplifting presence for students and employees.

Chief Financial Officer Jeannie Smith praised Seferovic as “energetic with a positive, can-do attitude,” adding that she consistently goes “beyond the call of duty.”

“This is such an honor,” Seferovic said. “This means so much to me. Nobody has ever done something like this for me.”

Seferovic continues to enjoy cooking for large groups and experimenting with new recipes. Colleagues say she brings the same spirit of service and camaraderie to Southwest that she once brought to the Navy. Her kindness, dedication and ability to boost morale make her a valued member of the Southwest family and a distinguished recipient of the Chancellor’s Commendation.