Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

Faculty Awards

Each year the Center sponsors the Florida Community College Outstanding Faculty and the Innovative Faculty Technology Awards. The Center sponsors faculty development programs and other events conducted at the campuses and the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning. The Center also supports a mini-grant program to assist Florida Community College faculty in improving the learning process.

2006 Outstanding Faculty Award

Outstanding Faculty Awards are presented annually for up to six faculty members. Criteria relates to the following factors: ability to lead and motivate students; ability to understand, relate to, and interact with students; outstanding instruction, librarianship, counseling and coaching; student recognition of excellence; innovation in professional leadership among colleagues; peer recognition of excellence; service-participation in professional organizations and community; and evidence of support for Florida Community College's total educational mission.

Faculty must be nominated to be considered for such an award, must be on continuing contract, and must not have received such an award in the past five years. Nominees are chosen by a faculty committee. Recipients currently receive $1,000, an award presented at the College's fall convocation, and financial support to attend the conference of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) held each year in Austin, Texas.

The 2006 Outstanding Faculty Award winners are:

Anne Banas, Professor of Art, Kent Campus
Joining the faculty in 1989, Professor Banas teaches drawing and painting, and manages the art department budget and equipment at Kent Campus. Known as a warm and caring teacher, she connects with students and makes them feel comfortable. Responsible for an intensely varied curriculum, she is still able to individualize courses and motivate students to attain their highest potential. She has worked with students on numerous local projects. Professor Banas coordinated the largest hand-painted mural in the U.S. (the Jaguars “First Team”) and the landmark “Cat House” on Bay Street in downtown Jacksonville. Her art has been displayed in countless shows and is in the collections of individuals, businesses and public spaces. In a letter of support: “Anne has helped transform the visual environment and visual heart of this college and city forever.”

Tessie Bond, Professor of Psychology, Kent Campus
Professor Bond’s service to the College began in 1968 as a student secretary. After completing her education, she helped to develop a comprehensive program for at-risk students, which included tutorial programs, academic skills labs, the course placement system and college prep program at Downtown Campus. She was a counselor for many years prior to becoming professor. Now co-chair of the Curriculum Committee, she co-chaired the General Education Review Task Force and presided over the Faculty Senate. She helped to initiate the Florida Developmental Education Association and the Community College Faculty Coalition. Students respect her knowledge and helpful demeanor. As one stated, she is an “engaging instructor who creates an atmosphere where students feel comfortable and compelled to participate.”

John Haworth, Professor of Psychology, Downtown Campus
Professor Haworth is the only full-time behavioral sciences professor at Downtown Campus. Joining the faculty in August 1999, he quickly became known as an innovative instructor in utilizing technology to develop traditional, hybrid and online courses. He encourages students to think outside of the box and carry their learning and the real-world skills he teaches beyond the classroom. Professor Haworth coordinates the campus mentoring pilot program and the Community Outreach Partnership component of the Great Neighborhoods Project, funded in part by a U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant. He has served on many college-wide committees including the General Education Review Task Force and chaired the Downtown Campus Student Appeals Committee.

Judy Holcomb, Professor of Mathematics, North Campus
Professor Holcomb is known for a strong personal and professional work ethic. Teaching since 1990, she has been “a major factor in the success of so many students who have come to Florida Community College with special academic needs,” according to one colleague who added that students love her because she values them, sees their potential, respects their individual abilities,e. Professor Holcomb was recently recognized for her part in planning, developing and implementing the Tutoring Solutions Math Program. This program was selected for the Exemplary Practices Award for Institutional Effectiveness by the Florida Association of Community Colleges.

Ken McCulough, Professor of Theatre, South Campus
Joining the faculty in 1994, Professor McCulough is a talented, disciplined and supportive teacher and director. In addition to teaching theatre and humanities, he directs student productions at the Wilson Center for the Arts. A caring mentor, he inspires students to achieve excellence and spends countless hours preparing for each production. Under his direction, Popcorn was one of six productions selected to perform at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Region VI festival and the only community college honored in this way. Professor McCulough served on the college-wide campus presidents search committee.

Victoria McGlone, Professor of Library Science/Librarian, North Campus
Serving as campus librarian since 1999, Professor McGlone is a role model whose contributions have positively impacted faculty, staff and students college-wide. She teaches information literacy; assists students with library research; educates faculty and staff in the Creating Optimum Learning Environments professional development program; and mentors professors learning to develop and teach online courses. The former chair of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning has also served on the United Way campaign, Contract Negotiation Team, Curriculum Committee and Information Literacy Assessment Committee. Professor McGlone helps students view the library as an ally rather than something to fear. With warmth, enthusiasm and a genuine concern for students, she guides them through any obstacles they may face.

2006 Endowed Chair Awards

We are pleased to announce five awards designed to celebrate the excellence of our faculty. The awards are sponsored by the Florida Community College Foundation. Furthermore, these awards represent a way to acknowledge our faculty and recognize their contributions to the College, the community, and profession. The five awards are as follows:

2006 Endowed Chair Award Winners

Dr. Clyde B. Lipscomb Chair for Excellence in Instruction Supporting Nursing Education and Natural Sciences

Jeanette Abich, Professor of Nursing, North Campus
Professor Abich is honored for her extraordinary commitment to students in the Associate Degree Nursing program, her support of the nursing profession and creative teaching initiatives. She co-designed a simulated experience to help students prepare for the first online nursing licensure examination. She secured funding and introduced several new elements of pain management training into the curriculum. Her students learn that therapeutic communication and building meaningful relationships are critical to achieving patients’ optimum wellness. She applies this knowledge to her view of the role of teachers in helping students reach their goals in life. Students “need us to perform this delicate dance of developing a caring relationship. I am constantly reminded of this as I work with the best nursing faculty in the nation.”

Mary Clare Hughes Endowed Chair for Excellence in Health Care and Natural Sciences

Marjorie Fisher, Professor of Emergency Medical Services, North Campus
Professor Fisher has made a significant impact on health care education. Since joining the faculty in1989, she has been an exemplary teacher and role model in her discipline. Her compassion, knowledge and experience are helping students prepare for high-demand, rewarding careers in Emergency Medical Services. An example of her outstanding work and leadership was in helping about 100 students displaced by the closing of an EMS school to complete their education at Florida Community College. Collaborating with state EMS and education officials, she crafted an effective plan. Professor Fisher then assessed each student’s progress and assisted in their entry at the appropriate level of training. One graduate recalled, “She put my mind at ease and helped me see the future was very clear – I was going to finish paramedic school.”

Marcus Drewa Endowed Chair for Excellence in Instruction Supporting Health Care and Natural Sciences

James Woods, Professor of Respiratory Therapy, North Campus
During his outstanding 22-year teaching career, Professor Woods has earned the respect of faculty and students, as well as professionals in the medical community. In addition to his excellent instruction in respiratory therapy and the role he has played in innumerable student successes, he has helped to build and improve health care programs and curriculum. The list includes respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant, massage therapy, health information management, radiography and others. He is responsible for several effective strategies and tools that help students retain and recall high-volume, technical information. Professor Woods said his own A.S. degree in Respiratory Therapy earned here 30 years ago “set the path for my adult life. I try to be sure every student I deal with understands Florida Community College can be their vehicle to success.”

2006 Innovative Faculty Award

The Innovative Faculty Technology Award is coordinated jointly by the Collegewide Technology Committee and the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning. Criterion is the most highly creative uses of technology to support learning -- must have occurred in connection with a class taught by the nominee during the two previous years.

Open to all full-time faculty who serve as lead persons (teams may also include other Florida Community College faculty and staff), individuals must be nominated by either a Florida Community College faculty member or student. Faculty may self-nominate. One award is presented annually. Nominees are chosen by an award committee appointed jointly by the Technology Committee and the Center. Recipients receive $1,000 and an award presented at the College's fall convocation. In addition, the recipient serves as the College's nominee to receive an Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology presented at the annual International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, sponsored by the Center.

The 2006 Innovative Faculty Technology Award winner is:

Walter Lara , Professor of Computer Electronics Technology, South Campus
Since joining the faculty in 2000, Professor Lara has successfully advanced the College’s technology programs and recruited students into technology education programs and careers. His outstanding instruction, leadership and innovation in developing Web design curriculum, information technology management courses, and computer game programming classes led to this award. He has created a model for blended online courses, facilitated training workshops for faculty and staff college-wide, worked with youth in computer science summer camps and worked with numerous committees and non-profit organizations. Helping students accomplish their dreams is his greatest reward in teaching. He encourages them to find their own creativity and path to success, stay on it, work hard and enjoy the journey.