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Faculty Member of the Year: Monique Worley, Instructor, Medical Laboratory Technology

Monique has worked in the medical lab and phlebotomy department for sixteen years. She became a teacher after twenty years of working in a hospital lab. Her favorite part of her job is sharing her passion with students.

She said, “It means even more (to get recognition) because I am not a formally trained educator. I’ve got sixteen years of experience learning how to be a better educator and improving the quality of instruction over time….I appreciate the validation after years of hard work with literal blood, sweat, and tears.”

Staff Member of the Year: Dana Moore, Interim Dean, Engineering, Transportation & Technology

Dana started at 99������Ƶ in 2012 as a computer technology adjunct instructor. In 2015, she took a position as a full-time curriculum compliance and data management coordinator. She took over as interim Dean of Engineering, Transportation, and Technology in October of 2023.

She says one of the most exciting parts of her job is working with direct transfer agreement students who can receive credits for past courses taken. “Sometimes I find students who have completed their programs without knowing it, or need just one more course to finish,” she said. “It’s thrilling to know I’m helping to bring them some unexpected good news.”

Continuing Education Instructor of the Year: Jay Kaufmann, Coordinator and Lead Instructor, 99������Ƶ Barber Academy

Jay has worked in his current role for five years. His favorite part of the job is watching students grow within their desired fields and supporting and encouraging students on their way to becoming professional barbers. He said, “It is humbling to receive such an honorable award for doing what I love to do.”

Advisor of the Year: Erica Witsell, Education Navigator, Transitional Studies

Erica started as an adjunct teaching English Language Acquisition in 2014 and was hired in her current position as an Education Navigator two years ago.

She works with a mix of immigrant students navigating an unfamiliar system in a second language and high school equivalency or adult high school students whose experience with traditional education in the past may not have been ideal. She said, “I am honored that I get to help these students accomplish what many of them didn’t think was possible.”

Getting nominated was “incredibly meaningful” because it shows the college values the work she and her colleagues in Transitional Studies are doing to support students not just in learning English or earning a high school credential but in continuing their education at 99������Ƶ.

Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year: Michelle Payton, Instructor, English Department

Michelle just completed her tenth year teaching English at 99������Ƶ this spring. Her favorite things about her job are having the support of department chair, Heather Vaughn, teaching her students, and being involved in “groundbreaking efforts” like HyFlex learning.

Payton said, “Being recognized is a great honor, as I know that we have a large talent pool of adjuncts.”

Part-Time Staff Member of the Year: Crystal Lucinian, Program Manager, Veterinary Medical Technology

Crystal has been the Vet Tech Program Manager since 2017. In her role, Lucinian sets students up for classes each semester. “Being behind the scenes, yet an essential member of this wonderful team, is a perfect position for me,” She said. “I enjoy the managing, maintenance, and flexibility this brings to my life. It means so much to receive (an award like this); for someone who often works ‘in the shadows’ to know one is doing a good job.”