Texarkana College announced its recipients of the annual National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. 2016 honorees include Donna McDaniel, Ph.D., Vice President of Instruction, and Melisa Jones, Associate Professor, English/Developmental Education Coordinator.
Created in 1978, NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.
When asked what inspires or motivates you in your work, Dr. Donna McDaniel stated, “I entered the world of education to help make a difference in the lives of students. Working at Texarkana College, I am able to not only impact the life of a student but to make a huge difference in their life as well as the lives of their family.”
In response to the same question and what words of wisdom she might pass on to others, Melisa Jones stated, “Understanding each student’s unique situation and the crucial role I play in that process is motivating. Beyond being prepared to teach the concepts, as an educator I must relate to my students by recognizing their weaknesses, strengths, failures, and successes. Effectively communicating with them to encourage and teach is essential.”
Each year Texarkana College recognizes two individuals, one faculty and one staff, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. All nominees are approved by the College President, James Henry Russell. Russell stated, “TC is committed to celebrating the extraordinary work of our faculty, administrators, and staff whose service to our students, colleagues, and community deserve our special recognition. I am so proud of the work done on behalf of TC by our Excellence Award recipients this year, and I’m honored to be able to work alongside such talented individuals.”
Excellence Award recipients were celebrated during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 23-26, in Austin, Texas. During the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration, held in conjunction with NISOD’s annual conference, each Excellence Award recipient received a specialty cast, pewter medallion hung on a burnt-orange ribbon and a personalized award certificate for framing.
“Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “The extraordinary work of these men and women includes not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.”
The names, titles, and colleges of all Excellence Award recipients are included in a special booklet and are historically archived online at the NISOD link, http://www.nisod.org/?q=products/excellence-awards.
