Taking home the national NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award were six faculty members who had represented HACC at the annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, sponsored by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) at the University of Texas, Austin, earlier this year.
Cathryn Amdahl, associate professor, English; James Baxter, instructor, physical science/geology; Gregory Dolise, assistant professor, physics; Sally Ann McCrea, associate professor, adult basic education and developmental studies; Ellen Shatto, professor, mathematics; and Robert Rowlands, associate professor, business law, were selected for theircommitment to teaching excellence by a committee of HACC students, faculty and administrators.
Amdahl, of Harrisburg, has served the college for 11 years and teaches courses in composition and literature. Amdahl has a bachelor's degree from University of Montana and a master's from Washington State University.
A resident of New Cumberland, Baxter has spent three and a half years at HACC, where he has built a reputation for presenting lecture and laboratory topics in a very clear, coherent and concise manner. Baxter's undergraduate degree is from Lehigh University, and he has a master's degree from Penn State University.
For six years, Dolise, of Harrisburg, has taught at HACC, providing an expertise that has resulted in the growth of the physics/astronomy department. Dolise has a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master's degree from Queens College.
McCrea, of Newville, has been a tremendous asset to the developmental students at HACC during her 11 years of service. Her bachelor's degree is from Lock Haven University, and her master's degree is from Shippensburg University. McCrea is also certified from the National Board for Counselor Certification.
Shatto, of Harrisburg, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to her students, professional growth and active college service during her 14 years with the college. Shatto earned her bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College, and completed her master's degree at Penn State University.
When Rowlands of Lebanon joined HACC's faculty 16 years ago, he brought the experience of many years as a practicing attorney and a number of years of part-time teaching at a four-year university to the college's Business Law curriculum. He has both his bachelor's and law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
NISOD is part of the Community College Leadership Program in the Department of Educational Administration, College of Education, at the University of Texas. HACC is part of the membership consortium of colleges and universities that share a philosophical commitment to the support of excellence in teaching and learning.
Also recognized during the ceremony were four faculty members who received the Adjunct Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes, encourages and honors excellence in teaching at all HACC campuses.
Yvonne Greenwood, of Lebanon, adjunct instructor, computer information systems at the Lebanon Campus; Carol Niblette, of Lancaster, adjunct instructor, early childhood education at the Lancaster Campus; Connie Peltz, of Mechanicsburg, adjunct instructor, graphic design at the Harrisburg Campus; and Sharon Sontheimer, of Gettysburg, adjunct instructor, biology at the Gettysburg Campus, were chosen for the award based on recommendations from colleagues, professional activities, student evaluations and college and community service.
Student evaluation scores have shown that students value Greenwood's teaching and appreciate her "willingness to go the extra mile."
According to student evaluations, Niblette's expertise in the field of early childhood education has been an asset to students both inside and outside of the classroom.
Peltz is an excellent teacher and a leader in the college's graphic design program. Sontheimer is known for her willingness to devote time and energy to projects that benefit the greater community.