Outstanding faculty members are distinguished by a combination of qualities and actions. These faculty members typically possess expertise in their field through engaging teaching methods and foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to ask questions and explore new ideas.
College of DuPage annually recognizes faculty members and advisors for going above and beyond in their fields. The selection process for these awards begin with nominations from students and faculty. A committee of faculty, students, administrators, and a member of the College’s Board of Trustees then make the final selections.
Discover how these exceptional faculty members go above and beyond their everyday responsibilities.
Criminal and Justice Studies Professor Tauya Forst serves as a dedicated mentor to her students, taking the time to understand their strengths and challenges in order to support
their personal and professional growth.
Arabic instructor Dina Khoury exemplifies perseverance and kindness, serving as a role model for both her children and students as she supports them on their journeys.
College of DuPage Professor of Biology Dr. Tara Leszczewicz is the College-Wide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Representing the STEM Division, Leszczewicz said she is honored to receive recognition from an organization filled with talented educators who work to foster supportive learning experiences.
“I strive to create the type of experience all students deserve and that I hope my children will experience when they venture into college,” she said. “I am grateful each day to have the privilege of being a professor at College of DuPage, helping students change their lives with education.”
Leszczewicz’s fascination with human anatomy and physiology led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis. Upon graduating, she went on to obtain a Master of Health Administration from Maryville.
“During this time, I continued to practice as a physical therapist in a variety of settings, finding my niche to be outpatient orthopedics,” she said. “Working with diverse patient populations ranging in age from 1 to 100 was very rewarding, as I was making a difference in the functional aspects of my patients’ lives while sharing my love for anatomy and physiology through patient education and explaining treatment rationales.”
Leszczewicz became an American Physical Therapy Association Credentialed Clinical Instructor and began accepting physical therapist students for clinical education internships.
“After the first week with my first student, I knew what I ultimately wanted to do for the rest of my life – teach,” she said.
She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University, providing her with the education necessary to teach at the collegiate level. After moving to the Chicago suburbs, she continued working as a physical therapist while teaching part time at several local community colleges. Through teaching a variety of courses, Leszczewicz realized her passion was anatomy and physiology education.
“While I appreciated having the ability to make a difference in the quality of my patients’ lives, I feel fortunate to have the amazing opportunity to facilitate the learning of future health care providers and add value to their education with my clinical background,” she said. “I hope my students leave my class with new, enhanced life skills that promote personal, academic and professional growth such as self-advocacy, self-care, self-reflection, inclusion and time management.”
Leszczewicz wants her students to leave with a toolbox of study strategies to apply in subsequent classes. She embraces the challenge of helping all students wherever they are on the spectrum of preparedness, including those students with learning differences.
“My students leave knowing that our relationship together is not over, that my door is always open to support and mentor them along their academic journey,” she said. “I hope the life skills my students have developed over a semester, coupled with a strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology, will provide them the solid foundation needed to be successful in future coursework and in their chosen health care career as well as be able to effectively advocate for their own health care needs.”
College of DuPage Professor of Respiratory Care Barbara Coe is the Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Representing the Nursing and Health Sciences Division, Coe will receive a $1,000 award from the College of DuPage Office of the Provost, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Coe graduated in 1985 from Lincoln Land Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care. In 1990, she returned to school to complete a degree in Deaf and Hard of Hearing, K-12. Her student teaching was at Gallaudet University following a student-empowered uprising when I. King Jordan became the first deaf president. She found it exhilarating to be on campus, and it taught her about students controlling their own destiny.
Following graduation, she moved to Chicago and again found work as a therapist. She sought diagnostic (RPFT), critical care (ACCS) and asthma education (AE-C) specialty credentials and found a home in the ICU. She returned to education in 1996 and filled an adjunct position in the Respiratory Care program at College of DuPage. In 2012, she joined the College full time, first as director of Clinical Education and then as chair for the Respiratory Care program in 2015.
Much like she did not have a single approach for patient bedside care, Coe has no one specific philosophy for students. She believes both students and patients are complex and have their own needs for best outcomes, which most of the time involves watching and listening. For Coe, it is important to have a personal, friendly and approachable relationship in the classroom, where trust and respect need to be palpable. Much of what she does in the classroom comes from what she has seen work and knowing when to change course. She sees her role as a facilitator at COD who encourages curiosity, growth, and even surprise at her students’ accomplishments. She hopes they are excited to come to class and learn something new that will allow them to find their own paths.
According to the collective group of students that nominated Coe, they stated the following: “Barbara goes above and beyond to figure out ways to teach complex topics and reinforces them with real-world examples.” One class said, “It is obvious how intelligent and knowledgeable Barbara is on what she teaches,” noting that they had never had an instructor more knowledgeable or passionate about what they teach. She goes above and beyond not only in the classroom but also in helping her students as individuals.
Learn more about the Respiratory Care program at College of DuPage.
College of DuPage Physical Education Assistant Professor Jane Vatchev is the Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Representing the Physical Education, Social/Behavioral Sciences and the Library Division, Vatchev will receive a $1,000 award from the College of DuPage Office of the Provost, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Vatchev said she is honored to receive the recognition at an organization filled with talented educators.
“The past recipients of this honor have been excellent teachers so to be considered amongst that group is overwhelming and humbling,” she said. “This recognition truly reflects my entire department’s hard work and dedication. I feel blessed that I get to do what I’m passionate about every day with colleagues and students who inspire me.”
Sports has always been a part of Vatchev’s life.
“I grew up in an athletic family with three competitive brothers and a dad who was an amazing basketball player and golfer,” she said. “I also knew from about the age of 5 that I wanted to be a teacher. Combining those two passions was an obvious choice.”
Her 37-year physical education teaching career started at John Deere Middle School in Moline, then as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned her master’s degree. Moving back to the Chicago area, Vatchev was an adjunct faculty member at Lewis University, where she coached full time; taught at Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park; and became a full-time faculty member at College of DuPage, where she has been for 22 years.
Vatchev’s focal point of teaching is centered in the word “passion.”
“I love the connection with students—the instilling of knowledge about themselves, the subject and how it connects to their future,” she said. “There is such great satisfaction when you know that students have learned and grown through the process of your time together. My goal is to light a fire in each of my students and help them find what they love.”
Vatchev connects to students in the classroom by sharing stories that bring the subject matter to life. She creates real life projects and assignments, hoping to spark in them the passion of their future career.
Past COD President Dr. Brian Caputo enthusiastically endorsed Professor Vatchev’s selection for the honor.
“Jane is one of the most talented and effective faculty members on a campus that is replete with exceptionally skilled professors,” he said. “Unquestionably, she is a fantastic choice for this year’s award.”
In addition to teaching, Vatchev was the head COD men’s and women’s track and field coach for 13 years, and her teams won eight National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships (four men and four women), while 118 athletes were individual NJCAA National Champions and 220 athletes became NJCAA All-Americans.
In 2017, Vatchev developed the COD Athletic Hall of Fame to honor student athletes, coaches, and support staff whose actions and achievement in their sport brought distinction to the College.
“We’ve had so many talented past athletes and coaches at COD, and I wanted to honor that,” she said. “It has been a joy to see that come to fruition.”
As an educator, Vatchev said she is always learning and growing.
“I’m constantly asking for feedback in everything I do because I want to be the best educator I can be,” she said. “One of the things I’m reminded, especially during COVID, is that my students have so much more going on than what’s in the classroom. Maybe they are struggling with illness or family issues, and we need to show compassion and understanding.”
Looking forward, Vatchev is energized about the future of COD’s Physical Education, Fitness and Sports Studies program, including developing more articulation agreements for students.
“We are really excited about our PE articulation agreements, like our new 2+2 in Athletic Training with Aurora University,” she said. “We now have other schools seeking us out for partnership. At the end of the day, I will continue to inspire students to take their education as far as they can.”
Learn more about the Physical Education, Fitness and Sports Studies program at College of DuPage.
College of DuPage English Professor Jason Snart is the Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Representing the Liberal Arts program, Snart will receive a $1,000 award from the Academic Affairs Division.
Snart said he is honored to receive the recognition at an organization filled with talented educators.
“Given how many great faculty there are among my colleagues, I’m humbled and even a bit intimidated,” he said. “These are big shoes to fill, not only those of past winners, but also in terms of the sheer talent I see around me at COD every day.”
A passion for creative writing and literature, combined with a love of learning, led Snart to make teaching his life’s work.
“It was obvious to me that teaching was a way I could continue to do what I loved about being a student,” he said. “While my title has changed, the spirit of how I feel about the classroom hasn’t. I feel as much as a student participant in the classroom as I do a teacher. I have the same level of enthusiasm for what I’m doing now than I did when I was a student.”
Not long after earning his Ph.D. in English at the University of Florida in 2002, Snart joined COD, where he teaches a variety of classes that includes composition, creative writing and literature. He emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter approach to teaching and aims for an open environment in the classroom designed to encourage students to choose topics that interest them, instead of directing students to merely focus on completing the coursework.
“I try to challenge students—and encourage them to challenge themselves—in an environment that supports risk-taking and creativity,” he said. “I work to set things up so that students have the opportunity to be invested in what they are doing for the sake of what they are doing, instead of just trying to get a grade. When students have the opportunity to drive their own education, they often are more committed. That is when you see students dig in and do real work.”
For Snart, one of the most important and gratifying parts of teaching is seeing students have breakthrough moments in the classroom.
“It is not necessarily the ‘B’ student becoming the ‘A’ student,” he said. “The real breakthrough is when you see a student’s realization that they have gone above and beyond what they thought they were capable of doing.”
Snart believes in the College’s mission of providing open access to students from a wide range of backgrounds. His job involves undoing students’ self-perception.
“So many different kinds of students come through the door and many of them have never pictured themselves as a college student,” he said. “When students like that self-realize as college students and see what they can do, it can impact their life well beyond my class and far into their future education and even their career. My job as a professor is to scaffold opportunities for that to happen.”
Theo Darden, Professor of Criminal Justice, has been named the College of DuPage Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Representing the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Darden will receive a $1,000 award from the College of DuPage Foundation, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
For Darden, a simple conversation with a sheriff's deputy while in college forged his future.
“Through that conversation, the deputy told me I had great communication skills and that I should consider law enforcement as a career,” he said. “I never thought more about that discussion until I was registering for classes my second year of college. I walked up to the registration window and declared my major as criminal justice. Working in law enforcement is not what I wanted to do early on in life, but now it’s everything that I am.”
His decision to go into law enforcement was solidified during his first week out of field training.
“When I completed field training and began patrolling on my own, a college student tried to take her own life,” he said. “I was the officer that showed up with the ambulance and provided support to comfort her friends after the ambulance left. I brought the young ladies to the hospital and sat and talked with them for a few hours, listening to their stories about their friend and helping them sort through their emotions. A few weeks later, my police chief told me she had received a letter from the young ladies and wanted her to know how grateful they were for what I had done for them. Police officers have the ability to change lives just by being human and relating to others.”
Darden went on to have a satisfying career in criminal justice. He worked as a police officer and supervisor in three different agencies in Wisconsin for almost 17 years. He also worked for the Attorney General's Office in the Wisconsin Department of Justice as an education consultant for police training and curriculum development, training officer and as a special advisor to the Attorney General on school safety. Among his honors, Darden was named Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1996.
With a storied career in criminal justice, there was always something about teaching that excited Darden. Despite being in his mid-thirties with the potential to continue advancing in his career, he decided to pursue his doctorate, which eventually led him to College of DuPage.
“I enjoyed training other officers and felt very passionate when speaking with people who wanted to work in this profession,” he said. “During my interview at COD, I was very comfortable. I needed an institution that would let me use my talents to build a 21st century curriculum and challenge students to change the world.”
Through teaching, Darden developed a new passion—watching students learn, grow and become forward-thinkers.
“Students come in with practically a blank slate,” he said. “They come in with biases and misunderstandings that they don’t even know they have. It’s my job as an educator to open their minds and help them become aware of who they are so they can begin to understand those who they want to serve. It’s challenging, but when you see former students go across the world or across communities to serve others, that is what it’s all about. They come back to thank me, but I thank them. They did the work. I’m just a facilitator of information.”
Before each lesson, Darden shares what his students call “Dardenisms.”
“I like to share what I refer to as public service announcements with my students,” he said. “It’s all about the idea of keeping their flames lit, jumpstarting their curiosity, and encouraging them to think beyond their own socialization. If you keep students engaged, curious, and open-minded, that’s education. That’s when you see extraordinary things unfold right in front of you.”
Learn more about the Criminal and Justice Studies program at College of DuPage.
Dilyss Gallyot, professor of Nursing at College of DuPage, has been named the Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Representing the Nursing and Health Sciences Division, Gallyot will receive a $1,000 award from the College of DuPage Foundation, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Gallyot graduated from COD with an Associate in Science degree before earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. She was named one of COD’s Distinguished Alumni in 2017. The Elmhurst resident worked full-time as a nurse for 16 years before she began teaching.
The COD alumna returned to campus to teach as a way of returning the favor to the College that got her started on her path.
“When I came here as a student, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” she said. “The faculty gave me such a great learning environment and allowed me to expand and grow in multiple ways. This place gave me the foundation that I needed. It gave me a gift. Returning here to teach allowed me to give back.”
She expressed the importance of applying what she has learned throughout her career to how she teaches her students.
“When I’m in the classroom, I have a large collection of narratives to draw upon,” she said. “I can tell them, ‘This is an example of what nursing does to make a difference for people and communities.’ Yes, they will be tired. There will be good days and some not-so-good days, but every day is a chance to walk through the door and make a difference.”
One of the classes that Gallyot teaches is “Role of a Nurse,” where she expresses the importance of professionalism, communication, collaboration and ethics.
“There are so many things I explore to get students to understand that nurses do more than just administer medication,” she said. “There are interpersonal skills you must develop to work with patients and families.”
Gallyot also puts a great amount of effort into helping her students succeed beyond the classroom. She works with graduates to coach them as they prepare for state board exams and stays in touch to offer career advice, such as what certain jobs entail and how to handle challenging situations at work.
She said one of the most fulfilling parts of educating is her enjoyment from watching students progress from being unsure of how to enter a patient’s room to confidently working with multiple patients.
“It’s so exciting to be a part of their journey,” she said. “I am delighted when they come to me with stories of how they applied what they learned in class to a clinical situation.”
Gallyot views her role at the College as an opportunity, rather than a responsibility.
“This is not a job that I ‘have’ to do. It’s a job that I ‘get’ to do,” she said. “My students come to me with a desire to help people. What I do is nurture and grow that desire. It’s so exciting to be a part of that journey.”
Looking ahead, Gallyot is enthusiastic about preparing future generations of nurses for careers in the industry.
“As I go through and further develop as a teacher and build relationships with students, I see that this community is filled with people who want to do good,” she said. “If I can give them a spark to want to continue improving, then I’m doing well. That’s what we’re all here for.”
College of DuPage Accountancy Instructor Aisling Lockhart of Downers Grove has been named the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Lockhart, who represents the Business and Applied Technology Division, was born in Ireland and moved with her family around the globe. She spent nine years in Singapore before coming to the U.S. and then returning to Ireland. When her family suddenly came back to the U.S., she was ready to attend college but unsure of what to do, so she turned to COD.
Having enjoyed an accounting class in high school, she enrolled in a fundamentals of accounting course with Professor Rukshad Patel, and the experience provided direction for both her career and her life.
“Accounting became a way for me to make sense of the world,” she said. “It’s the language of business, which allowed me to take part in any business conversation and opened so many doors for me. I also love puzzles and problem solving, and accounting is often the equivalent of a business puzzle. You figure out how to best approach to a problem and use critical thinking to create solutions. People think accountants are isolated, but it’s actually a very social profession. Every day is different, and we spend most of our time interacting with others, asking questions and working on teams.”
After one year at COD, Lockhart transferred to DePaul University and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. This was followed by a master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin and then earning her CPA license. During her time in college, she interned with Ernst & Young, which became a full-time position after graduation as an auditor.
“It was an exciting and fast-paced environment,” she said. “I would go into companies and investigate whether their financials were fairly presented. I loved getting to see what made companies successful, and I learned so much.”
Lockhart then worked for Treehouse Foods and focused on SEC reporting. This combined accounting with her love for writing, a subject she embraced at DePaul when working as a tutor in the writing center. That experience added to an already-growing desire to teach.
“Because we were always moving when I was younger, the constant thread for me was my teachers,” she said. “When I would get to a new school, I did not know the people or the curriculum. It was isolating and lonely, but my teachers grounded me. They helped me to believe in myself and know that I belonged. When I was tutoring, I felt so excited about helping students to realize their potential, and it was something I wanted to do more of.”
In 2019, Lockhart returned to COD and took Introduction to College Teaching through the Adjunct Faculty Training Institute, after which she began teaching in the Accountancy program and felt she was in the right place.
“Everything finally aligned for me to work with students and teach something I’m passionate about,” she said. “I am always pushing myself to improve and figure out ways to better connect with my students. I love seeing their growth and helping them to achieve their goals.”
Lockhart divides her time between raising her two children and teaching, and she continues to become more involved with the Accountancy program.
“COD means a lot to me and I am so lucky to be part of this community,” she said. “Because I moved around so much, when students come into my class, I know they can be uncomfortable. My hope is they feel welcome and respected and leave feeling more confident.”
College of DuPage English instructor Mary Childers is the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Representing the Liberal Arts Division, Childers will receive a $500 award from the College of DuPage Office of the Provost, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Childers attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English, a minor in Journalism and a concentration in Professional Writing in 2014. While at UNCW, she focused on studying Ernest Hemingway, which led her to committing to a fellowship in Oak Park, Illinois. Upon graduating, Childers moved to Oak Park to continue pursuing her studies in the field.
After two years, she returned to UNCW and completed her Master of Arts in English with a concentration in Women and Gender Studies. During this time, she completed two additional fellowships, traveling to New York City to study Joan Didion and to London to write her thesis on A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. She is pursuing Ph.D. programs in hopes of continuing her study of gender theory and rhetoric.
Childer’s commitment to establishing a community of learners is derived from bell hooks, who wrote about Paulo Freire and described him as “one of those thinkers whose work gave me a language.” This is why Childers provides space for her students to articulate their thoughts, ideas and findings with one another. She promotes collaboration in the classroom throughout the semester as well as emphasizing how English is a practice of freedom. She has her students complete reflections after every paper they write to discuss what they knew beforehand, what they know now and what they are going to continue attempting to understand after the final piece is submitted. This reinforces that learning is ongoing and that revision is revisiting.
According to the collective group of students that nominated Childers, they stated the following: “She always comes to class with the best attitude and finds a way to relate to make the students comfortable. She will always say, ‘Come talk to me—I am always happy to help. I want everyone to be successful in my class.’”
College of DuPage English instructor Sarah Magin is the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Magin is a COD alumna who found her way back home when she became an adjunct faculty member in 2012. Most recently she teaches English Composition 1101 and 1102.
Representing the Liberal Arts Division, Magin will receive a $500 award from the College of DuPage Foundation, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Magin studied English Literature at COD, then she graduated Knox College with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Gender and Women’s Studies.
Magin went on to earn a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While she was working as a teaching assistant, she decided to pursue a career in teaching.
“Once I started actually doing it in graduate school, I very quickly realized that I really liked teaching English composition,” said Magin. “I like interacting with students and supporting student success, development and progress.”
Magin embraces her role as a facilitator, and her definition of success is for her students to further develop themselves as readers, writers and critical thinkers, in all its forms.
The students who nominated Magin for the outstanding teaching award said she stands out because of how hard she works to make her students feel heard and comfortable in her classroom. Magin says a safe and inclusive learning community is key to helping students gain confidence.
“I want to help students realize their input is a valuable contribution to the success of the entire classroom,” Magin said. “To succeed, you need to rely on those around you for support, knowledge, and inspiration, and that goes both ways, as a teacher and a student.”
Magin also serves on the editorial board of COD’s student anthology publication ESSAI, which features some of COD’s students’ best academic writing of all majors and studies. Magin says the work is very rewarding, and it includes writing projects of all types, from business plans to cover letters to lab reports.
“No matter what job you have, you need to be able to clearly present ideas, and as needed, support them with research,” said Magin. “Critical thinking is a very important, powerful skill that you use all the time no matter what you do.”
Students said Magin strives to prepare her students for their future in both academia and beyond, and Magin says she believes it’s important to support students even after they’ve left the classroom.
“I look forward to interacting with my students and supporting them,” Magin said. “In a classroom community, the students are active agents of their own progress, and it’s essential to prioritize each student’s distinct path for success.”
College of DuPage American Sign Language faculty member Krystle Conrad is the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Representing the Liberal Arts program, Conrad will receive a $500 award from the Academic Affairs Division.
An unexpected opportunity to teach ASL ignited Conrad’s passion for teaching and changed her career trajectory.
“Initially, I set out to become a graphic designer but that changed when a friend pulled me into teaching ASL at a local college,” she said. “I found that I really enjoyed teaching students and making a difference in their lives by providing authentic knowledge not only about ASL, but also about deaf culture and life experiences. I also enjoyed sharing stories and allowing students to understand my experiences growing up deaf.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree with emphases in computer graphics, digital imaging and publishing at Rochester Institute of Technology, Conrad followed her passion for teaching and earned a master’s degree in American Sign Language education at Gallaudet University. An adjunct faculty member at COD since 2015, she teaches American Sign Language II and III, as well as an ASL linguistics course.
Conrad, who has been Deaf since the age of 6, feels that it is important to provide a learning environment where students feel comfortable and welcome.
“As a Deaf, queer teacher, I aim to provide a safe place for everyone who walks into my classroom,” she said. “More than just teaching how to sign, I provide students an experience of culture, education, art and literature using resources within the deaf community, as well as my own personal experiences.”
Conrad said she tries to meet students where they are by providing a flexible and varied approach in the classroom.
“I use a variety of different materials, activities and lectures in the classroom because students have different skills, learning styles and backgrounds,” she said. “Adapting lessons to the students helps them stay engaged and interested. I work to ensure that all students in my class feel included, motivated and capable of learning.”
She said students who are learning ASL should not just learn vocabulary, but they also should try to gain insight into Deaf culture.
“I use a lot of activities in my classroom that demonstrate everyday dialogue,” she said. “Students interact using sign language with hands-on activities, projects and role-playing with authentic language context discourse. I also encourage students to interact with their classmates outside the classroom and to attend events incorporating sign language as often as they can. To get the full experience of the language, students have to go and interact with the culture.”
Learn more about the American Sign Language program at College of DuPage.
College of DuPage Speech Communication Adjunct Faculty member Patrick Idzik was selected as the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for 2019-2020.
Representing the Arts, Communication and Hospitality Division, Idzik will receive a $500 award from the College of DuPage Foundation, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Idzik said he felt incredibly honored to be named Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member.
“Like so many educators here at COD, I have invested a great deal of time and effort in an attempt to bring the material to life and make it connect with students,” he said. “When you hear that your lessons inspire people to do better, try harder or think critically about something, you know you have made a difference.”
Idzik has taught sections of Speech 1100 and nonverbal communication classes, as well as a Speech 1100 class designed particularly for culinary and hospitality students. After earning his Associate in Arts in General Studies at COD, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric from DePaul University and his master’s degree in Communications from Michigan State University. He is currently working toward an Ed.D. at Aurora University with a focus on communication in the classroom.
A resident of Bloomingdale, Idzik said he approaches teaching with a focus on practicality, needs-based learning and ethical consideration. He added that since college can be a challenging time for students who are finding their identity, cultural understanding and empathy play a strong role in his lessons.
“Knowing what students need is essential in helping them retain information, so I keep up to date on research and trends in the field,” he said. “I also ask students what topics they would like to discuss early in the semester, do research on them and change my lessons accordingly to meet their needs. This way, students have a voice in what they learn, and I get to better understand their needs. Also, I strongly believe educators have an ethical consideration when addressing their students. I make sure the material I present meets a high level of scrutiny and peer review. I ask my students to do the same, sparking the critical thinking and skepticism needed in today’s world.”
Idzik, who has worked as a purchasing manager at his family’s engineering company and a divorce mediator, credits his high school history teacher with inspiring his passion for teaching and learning. While Idzik said he tries to make his lessons fun and engaging for students, there is one primary element to which he owes his success.
“In short, I listen to my students,” he said. “I can’t know the level of stress they are feeling, so I ask about it. I ask what they’re anxious about, or how their day is going. They crave an outlet to express emotions that they’re only now feeling in some cases, allowing for raw and meaningful discussion. These conversations inform me about what trends my lessons should focus on, and have helped me form presentations on depression, social anxiety, abusive relationships and the effect of social media influence. Students listen to and engage much deeper with topics that affect them.”
He said he enjoys the challenges and opportunities that go along with teaching speech communications.
“Almost everyone hates public speaking and now they’re mandated to take this class,” he said. “That’s a pretty rough start. Because everyone must take speech, one class can be composed of dozens of different cultures, majors, races, creeds, abilities and backgrounds. Teaching a lesson where you can break through all the qualitative differences between people and connect with shared ideas is exceptionally challenging, and worth every second of effort.”
Pleased with his experiences at COD as both a former student and now a faculty member, Idzik said he is most impressed with the available resources at the College.
“When I was a student at COD over a decade ago, I had no idea how many opportunities I was surrounded by,” he said. “Now that I’m an instructor, I have the chance to go back and see all the parts of the College I missed out on. I get my haircut by cosmetology students in Addison, buy plants from our greenhouse, eat lunch at our incredible Wheat Cafe, peruse student galleries during breaks, take advantage of our incredible library resources and, most importantly, I tell my students about all of it. They get excited and engaged when they realize that their school has a lot more to offer than they initially thought.”
Learn more about the Speech Communication program at College of DuPage.
Benjamin Wahlund, part-time music instructor at College of DuPage, has been named the College-Wide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Representing the Arts, Communication and Hospitality Division, Wahlund will receive a $500 award from the College of DuPage Foundation, which annually recognizes outstanding teaching achievement.
Wahlund, a Grammy-nominated music educator, composer and performer, serves as the Director of Percussion at COD and is a full-time instructor at the Northern Illinois University School of Music. His music compositions have won numerous international awards and are performed by professionals around the world. He graduated from NIU with a master’s degree in music theory and composition and a performance certificate in percussion.
The Aurora resident was drawn to COD because of the College’s diverse background.
“I can’t stress enough how powerful I believe the COD experience can be for people,” Wahlund said. “There is such a rich and diverse group of students here. We have those who are looking for a cost-effective model for education, students who simply want to grow and community members who are interested in augmenting their life experience. It’s great to celebrate that diversity.”
He expressed gratitude to the College community for awarding him with this year’s distinction.
“I feel like the community is reciprocating the appreciation I have for our students. It is quite touching to know that the special relationship we have with our students in the Music program is being recognized.”
Wahlund creates lessons and performances that allows for the different levels of experience and knowledge that students have in music. In doing so, he creates an environment that celebrates all students and their skills.
“If you went to a doctor who refused to see you because you weren’t easy to work with, they didn’t do any healing,” he said. “As teachers, we also can’t be picky about who we work with. I teach the people in front of me and that’s a terrific job.”
Wahlund said that he keeps students engaged by simply allowing them to explore and be themselves.
“I just try to help them find a vision, get the right tools, and I get out of the way. My goal is to celebrate curiosity. If an environment does not foster that, we won’t have any fun. I need to let the students bring their personalities to the table before I bring my own.”
Wahlund finds motivation in the opportunity to improve the world by empowering students to create music that makes people feel better.
“What inspires me as a teacher is that I know when music is being made in the right spirit,” he said. “Sometimes things can get challenging for all of us, and activities like music—and creating music—can make being alive more rewarding. Every day, I am working with students to stand for something that is good. We’re in the business of making beautiful things and I don’t wonder at night whether I spent my day doing what’s right.”
The faculty were selected for their commitment to students and dedication to COD.
Tim Henningsen’s scholarship and work in the classroom are second to none. He is always looking for ways to improve his teaching, to challenge his students and to diversify his assignments with a view to engaging students, all while providing them with valuable real-world analytical and communication skills. Henningsen is an active scholar who regularly presents at a variety of conferences, including the Online Learning Consortium’s Accelerate conference and the Teaching English at the Two-year College (TYCA) conference. He showcases his innovating work by developing new programs, curricula and teaching approaches. His work relative to advising is particularly noteworthy. In addition to in-class advising, he can be found on a regular basis meeting with students to talk about work for classes, transfer plans and career aspirations as well as just getting to know them.
Brian Clement has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching, student success and building COD’s Horticulture program. In the classroom, he uses innovative and engaging teaching methods that have inspired and motivated students to develop a deep passion for horticulture. His ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner has made a lasting impact on the learning experiences of students. He also has been an invaluable asset to College through his student horticulture club activities. His willingness to collaborate with colleagues, mentor students and participate in outreach initiatives has enhanced the overall academic environment at COD. His pursuit for the approval the cannabis certificate shows his dedication to the needs of the students and the community the College serves. His dedication, expertise and positive impact on the academic community and college make him truly deserving of recognition.
Elizabeth Arnott-Hill is highly respected within her division and extremely popular among her students. In her courses, she enables students to make connections between the psychology curriculum and their own lives and to develop skills such as critical thinking, scientific literacy, communication and teamwork that are transferable to a wide variety of careers. She successfully encourages students to enhance their educational experience by participating in the campus community. Arnott-Hill co-authored an acclaimed, full-length OER textbook, Introduction to Psychology. The book, which is widely used at both COD and other institutions around the country, enhances student learning and success while saving COD students tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Anna Campbell continues to grow the Surgical Technology program while providing one-on-one support to current and incoming Surgical Tech students. As part of her recruitment of students as well as exposing members of the community to the field, Campbell includes real-world operating room experiences during tours of her department. She played a pivoted role in the development of the new Patient Care Tech program. When the Surgical Technology program began to grow to the point where she could not support the PCT program any further, she played a major role in transitioning the program to another program chair. Campbell is always willing to attend community events to be an advocate for not only her program but also the field in general.
When Katherine Sifers was first hired for the Photography program at COD, she started not only teaching but also immediately chairing a program with no other full-time faculty. She took a lead role in determining the vision for the department and curriculum and immediately began working on updating and writing new courses, evaluating the needs of students, and developing a community and sense of belonging within the program. Along with supporting students’ technical and conceptual explorations, Sifers is approachable and always there to offer unwavering support with both personal and academic dilemmas. She is concerned with supporting the student from a wholistic perspective, helping them think about achieving short-term and long-term goals. Her approach to student advising has a direct impact on the success of students. In addition, she works closely with advisory committees and outside partners like Easterseals to provide students with experiences that build their portfolios and professional experiences. Her annual portfolio night, always full of energy, allows students to get one-on-one feedback from professionals in the field and network with established and emerging professionals.
Mary Newberg is a leader among faculty and the program chairs. She is driven by her passion for students and deeply focused on student success by not only being student-centric but also making sure they are prepared for their next steps. Newberg is knowledgeable about her discipline and the College. She works closely with students pursuing pre-professional studies. She provides critical support for the dean of STEM in her role leading the Chemistry program as chair and heading up the STEM Grade Review Committee. She is a Women in STEM mentor and is heavily involved in Science Olympiad, along with other STEM events. Newberg is active in collegewide committees and student success initiatives. Above all, she is a pleasure to work with for the dean, the staff and fellow faculty members.
Tim Genc cannot teach sitting down. He walks the classroom, speaking to students directly and interacting with them during breaks. His voice projects and fluctuates to keep things exciting and animated. He does not read from a book or slides, speaking extemporaneously and inserting humor to keep things lively. Genc has served the aviation industry as a flight instructor, chief pilot, school manager and national flight school director. He has amassed over 6,000 flight hours teaching in Illinois, south Florida, Dallas and Santa Monica. He created and ran the pilot recruiting department for one of United Airline’s regional carriers, travelling the country and teaching future pilots about the industry. While he certainly has the credentials, Genc is a passionate teacher, preferring to serve the industry from the front of a room instead of the flight deck. It is obvious he loves aviation and his energy is contagious.
Ken Orenic’s commitment to excellence begins with strong leadership as the Library Senator, Chair of the Library’s Collection Development Committee and manager of COD’s Digital Commons Repository; proactive division liaison role for the Humanities and Fine Arts; and dedication to making the Library’s Student Research Symposium a success year after year. His work as chair of the Collection Development Committee ensures that the library collection is focused on curriculum and student needs. Through this process, he has led a number of serious conversations among all librarians about the future directions for library holdings in a calm and focused way. His collaborative style and inclusive nature, combined with his genuine concern for coworkers and students, make him a valued colleague. His contributions to the library and the larger Institution, as represented by his service on numerous college-wide and student-focused committees, are many and varied. He is always striving to learn and grow (as evidenced by his recent semester leave and his doctoral work), setting a fine example for students and colleagues alike. His fierce passion for raising up those around him combined with his proven record of service to the library and institution, in support of the College’s mission, inspires everyone with whom he comes in contact.
Bonnie McLean has been a dependable adjunct for the English program and has a proven track record of success. A highly visible figure in her department, she not only attends professional development opportunities on a regular basis but also leads and co-facilitates such things for her colleagues. She is deserving of this recognition based on her long and successful teaching service, across multiple formats and courses; her willingness to get involved in attending but also developing and leading professional development opportunities in her department; and for her active scholarly work despite the already heavy teaching and service commitments that she continues to make.
Phil Abraham is known for his positive demeanor, approachability and inspirational impact on students. With his background as a CPA and experience at the IRS, he offers invaluable insights into the profession, bringing technical expertise and real-world examples that enrich students’ understanding of accounting principles. Abraham’s students greatly appreciate the practical knowledge he brings to the classroom, finding his teaching style relevant and insightful across various formats, including hybrid and online settings. Beyond teaching, he actively participates in departmental activities and provides mentorship to students, fostering their confidence in pursuing their goals. His supportive demeanor makes him approachable, encouraging students to seek guidance from him whenever needed.
Bill Enright is the type of faculty who is always willing to go above and beyond for his students and the College. He has long been a popular instructor who brings political science alive for his students. Having served as an elected official at the local level, he brings that real-life experience into the classroom. Enright is always looking for other ways to connect students with the real political world. For example, he designed two new classes connecting the Democratic and Republican national conventions to the political classroom and to journalism classes. He also developed a new class examining politics through the lens of film. When you run into Enright in the hallways, he will always have a smile on his face and an openness to pitch in wherever needed.
Jennifer Conniff has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of the Long-Term Care Administration program. She has revamped the program, increasing the enrollment to allow students to earn their certificate quicker. The program has transitioned to eight-week courses, which allows students to complete the program, take their certification exam and get into the workforce rapidly. She has brought more awareness to the program and provides ongoing outreach to the community. She is in constant communication with the students and division office, going above and beyond to help her students succeed.
Jessica Kondrath has taken a lead role in the Dance program. When she began a few semesters ago, enrollments were dwindling and the program had not presented a performance in several semesters due to a lack of students and leadership. Kondrath immediately began recruiting students and organized a dance performance during her first semester. Within just a few semesters, overall enrollments more than tripled and she worked closely with faculty across the ACH Division to collaborate on experiences that enhance the learning for her students as they seek additional classes. Currently, she is updating and revising curriculum and investigating the process to develop an official program with ICCB.
Jennifer Jeffrey is an exceptional math faculty who deeply cares about her students. She does a great job of explaining complex topics in a way that is easy to understand. She is passionate about her work and students really enjoy her classes. Jeffrey is always willing to go above and beyond for her students and makes sure that they have a wonderful experience in her classroom.
Carter Larry, Ph.D., teaches ethics and DEI for SLEA to police recruits and for the Homeland Security Training Institute to school safety professionals as well as around the U.S. He has been a valuable member of COD for five years and currently serves as the director of safety and security for the Valley View School District in Bolingbrook/Romeoville. Prior to that, he retired as a Bolingbrook Police Lieutenant, worked for an insurance company and served in the United States Marine Corps.
The faculty were selected for their excellence in teaching, service to the College, scholarly activities, community service and advising skills.
One of the hallmarks of Mary Anderson’s service to the College is that of care. Her students regularly remark on moments where she showed them compassion and a willingness to be flexible when they struggled, which lead to the overwhelming sentiment that Anderson cares deeply about her students’ success. Her commitment to her students, in fact, goes beyond her work in the classroom. Anderson’s ethos of care is also demonstrated in her contributions to build community at the College. One of her colleagues wrote, “I’ve gone to her for advice on several things over the past few years, and I appreciate her knowledge and experience as a fellow faculty member. She is always willing to share teaching ideas and kind words as we pass each other in the hallway.” As a nod to Mary’s flexibility in supporting the greater needs of the College, a colleague offered that during the past year, “Mary has switched from teaching reading, her area of expertise, to teaching almost all Composition courses. She has not only done this without complaint, but even in her last year of teaching, she has put her all into creating a curriculum that meets learning objectives and engages students. She seeks out collegial collaborations and is always sharing ideas, resources and pedagogical practices.”
Tom Lanagan is a faculty member who always helps and supports all at College of DuPage. He brought insight from a manufacturing business perspective in selecting current faculty. His colleagues are constantly impressed with his devotion to the field of manufacturing, making it fun for all ages. His involvement with many outside groups ranges from middle school and high school students who are taking summer camps to piloting a Dual Enrollment course with Wheaton Warrenville South High School this past semester. He is also involved with the DuPage Region Manufacturing Advisor Council along with Assistant Professor Jim Tumavich.
As chair of instruction, Or’Shaundra Benson regularly goes above and beyond to field faculty concerns and route them appropriately. She is the type of colleague who makes the College a better place, working incredibly hard and never seeking recognition. Her contributions could easily go unnoticed, as she doesn’t draw attention to herself or her work. Benson is similarly generous with her time when it comes to COD’s students and her psychology colleagues. She serves in multiple club advisor roles, even with her demanding teaching and committee schedule. She mentors students, sets up special meeting times to assist them and always says “yes” when someone asks for help, whether that ask is large or small. The number of unseen and uncompensated contributions that she makes to her discipline and the division, such as acting as the administrator for the psychology research pool software, is remarkable.
Nancy Petges has been a huge asset to the Nursing program since stepping through the College’s door one year ago. She is incredibly student-focused. With 14 years of experience in nursing education, Petges brings a wealth of knowledge to her job and is an excellent resource to those around her. She is truly passionate as an educator and believes everyone deserves an opportunity to learn and have fun while doing it. In her short time at the College, she assisted in making minor curriculum changes, assisted in preparing for the accreditation process and was elected as the division faculty senator. Additionally, she is a co-advisor for the Student Nurses Association, leading the fundraising and events team. Recently, she obtained grant money to start student focus groups on how to learn inspired by Saundra McGuire's book “Teach Students How to Learn.” These focus groups will be held in collaboration with the Learning Commons. To sum up Nancy in three words, it would be advocate, innovative and approachable.
Jackie Weaver has been a pivotal member of the Art program faculty since she began at COD. Her focus on technology integration has led to a more relevant curriculum for Digital Art, including the development of a Time-Based Media curriculum, which aligns with national trends across the art disciplines. She currently serves as a co-chair for the Art program and has led department initiatives, curriculum revisions and art collaborations across campus. Weaver’s active engagement within her department and discipline is demonstrated daily in her teaching, advising, curriculum and committee work. She is constantly working to improve her effectiveness as a teacher, developing and teaching many Field Study courses that have provided students with immersive experiences in the arts across the Chicago area and beyond. In addition, she has taught designated Honors sections of her courses and developed several new offerings for the department, all while maintaining her own artistic practice. Her personal work was recently exhibited at Opalka Gallery in Albany, New York, and was selected for the 2021 South Bend Museum of Art Midwest Biennale 31, where it was awarded Best in Show.
Jim Ludden diligently works to maintain the rigor of the department’s Biology 1151 course. He also served in other ways that support the Biology program by participating on the search committee for the full-time biology faculty replacement position and has been involved with the biology pathways design. Ludden developed two field study courses that have run successfully, one to Canada and the other to the Bahamas. He also served on various College committees and always makes good contributions while working to benefit and support the program.
Joe Gilles brings his expertise from the field into the classroom for the benefit of all students. They comment on this passion for the subject and his desire to train the next generation of fire science professionals. Gilles inspires students and is invested in their success. He worked particularly hard during the last several years to modernize the curriculum and keep current with industry and licensing standards. Gilles has a positive, can-do attitude that benefits his discipline and the division.
Silvia Donatelli stands out as the one of the hardest-working and student-centric staff members of the entire department. She always makes room in her schedule to see students in crisis, even if it means working late, coming in early or during her lunch break. Donatelli is also a role model to many of her fellow faculty in how she illustrates her dedication to providing appropriate personal counseling to students with various mental health issues. She epitomizes commitment, empathy and intellect in most interactions with her colleagues and students. During her 10 years at COD, the impacts of her efforts can be seen throughout counseling and the larger College campus. She is truly dedicated to her craft, and it is obvious that she cares about the students at College of DuPage. She takes the time to listen and understand each student’s individual needs. Student success is very important to her, both emotionally and academically. Her contributions to her department and the College are immeasurable.
Ed Bates was on the cutting edge of the development and growth of asynchronous online courses. He applied to and received a small grant to create online shells for many general education courses. He also developed shells for History 1110, 1120, 1130 and 1140. He makes himself available to any instructor that uses the shells to clear things up, offer advice and work with them to tinker the shells, all on his own time. He also researched and found Open Educational Resources (OER) for each course shell, which now has an OER textbook and free primary source readings so students pay nothing outside of base tuition for these courses. Bates asks to be rotated through the four classes over the course of a year so he can ensure each one still functions and is up to date. Bates also is very involved with the discipline and department, attending every department meeting and providing insight and ideas. He also doesn’t wait for meetings to contribute. When he reads about something related to pedagogy such as rubrics, he will reach out to have a discussion about it. Bates also volunteered to be the scholarly presenter at the Carter D. Carroll Excellence in History Award presentation.
For more than 30 years, Jack Scurte has taught a variety of classes in the Computer and Information Science program and is always ready to assist with departmental needs. Students consistently give positive feedback about his effective teaching, caring approach and commitment to student success. His dedication and connection to students is reflected in their comments: “The instructor is amazing. He strongly believes in educating his students.” “Professor Scurte is truly concerned for all students and often offers solid advice toward the student’s betterment.” “Clear understanding of what’s expected in and out of class, really cares about how you are doing in all your courses, not only his.”
Laurie Loftus is a long-time adjunct faculty member who is consistently committed to COD and her students. She has been with COD through ups and downs and is always ready to enthusiastically teach her students, which is crucial for a fitness instructor. Loftus is never seen without a smile on her face. She is excellent at her craft, and it shows in her enrollment as her classes are consistently filled semester after semester. She is flexible and always willing to jump in to teach new classes, classes that need to be filled and classes that may need a more qualified instructor. She consistently looks at and helps with the big picture of the program. Loftus is willing to market classes, brainstorm ideas for the program, assist with writing curriculum, create flyers and do anything else needed to move classes in the right direction. She goes above and beyond every day and the program would have a difficult time functioning in the fitness/activity space without her. She also serves on COD’s Fitness Advisory Board and was instrumental in redesigning the fitness certification program.
Susan Alliss is committed to her program and its students. In an effort to be supportive of the new Physical Therapist Assistant’s (PTA) program chair, Alliss agreed to serve as the clinical chair, a position that is no small feat. She is responsible for securing clinical seats for students and maintains the relationships with the clinical partners once the seats have been acquired. Alliss leads the effort to place students in clinical settings that will provide them with the best experience. This must be done multiple times as students rotate to different sites during their time in the program. In addition to her didactic teaching, Alliss also teaches in the clinical setting. Finally, she is spearheading PTA program efforts to remain accredited, which involves data collection from multiple sources, preparing documentation and leading efforts to organize the in-person site visit from the accreditors.
Olivia Schreiner has been a valuable member of COD for 13 years. She is a seasoned teacher, always willing to learn and grow to best support her students. Determined to help all students succeed, she works closely with full-time faculty and counseling to develop strategies that support and advocate for students with learning challenges. Her students often say that she is very supportive and caring to the class as a whole and individually. In terms of scholarly activity, Schreiner continues to thrive in her own professional painting practice. Her work has recently been exhibited at the prominent Carrie Secrist Gallery in Chicago and the Elmhurst Art Museum. She also serves as a member of the local arts collective Tiger Strikes Asteroid. This active practice benefits students as they prepare their applications for residencies, exhibitions and transfer scholarships. Her kindness, passion, dedication to students and willingness to step in are exceptional.
Arnoush Javaherian uses innovative techniques in the classroom while constantly honing his craft. He embraces the best practices associated with COD Connects, as he knows his students’ names, checks in with them regularly, and meets with them to understand who they are and how he can help them grow as learners. Javaherian connects with his student in and out of the classroom about the course content and their lives. He also works with the College to improve learning and engagement. Last semester, he recommended a model that could be purchased for the Anatomy and Physiology course, a low-cost item that could make a significant impact on students. He also brings his high school teaching experience to COD. Javaherian has also discussed being a part of the Dual Credit program, where he can assist STEM students in bridging the “high school-to-college” gap. Here he mentors students, preparing them for the rigor ahead and the skills required to be successful at the college level.
Dan Roach supports all of his students in a holistic manner by relating the course material to opportunities for growth within the College as well as those that exist in the community and their future career fields. He also fosters a sense of community in his courses by ensuring students are connected to one another through the integration of collaborative work, open communication and small group discussions.
Visitors to the College of DuPage Library at any time in the last 33 years have more than likely benefited from the assistance of Carol Eisinger. Her substantial contributions include teaching research and information literacy skills to countless students, reference and research consultations, service on department committees, and, more informally, representing the perspective and advocating for the needs of adjunct faculty librarians. Eisinger shows her dedication and care for students with her generous and welcoming approach to reference work, by maintaining relevant and interesting course materials, and by thoughtfully preparing for research consultations, including specialized work with chemistry students and users of the Philanthropy Collection. She willingly takes on the challenge of teaching in a wide range of subjects, including English, speech communication, chemistry, biology, theater, architecture and manufacturing technology. Further, she is generous in sharing her insights with colleagues and equally values their experience and knowledge. Eisinger is a member of the Library Public Services Committee and the adjunct representative at library faculty meetings. She supports Instruction Committee activities and recently participated in several search committees.
The faculty were selected for their excellence in teaching, service to the College, scholarly activities, community service and advising skills. Each will receive a monetary award from the College of DuPage Foundation.
In the area of teaching, Ben expertly serves students in the classroom by employing his own unique and effective style of pedagogy. He cultivates an environment of academic curiosity, relies on an eclectic array of source materials, and uses tools of Socratic dialogue, source analysis, application of knowledge, critical thinking and a personal content delivery style tinged with dry wit and sarcasm to facilitate learning with his students. Whisenhunt developed the history curriculum by creating three courses (History of Terrorism, Native American History and 20th Century World History), updating discipline-wide standards to maintain strong academic quality and leading numerous Field Studies learning experiences to Russia. Whisenhunt has been described as the indispensable glue that has maintained History program cohesiveness through the last 25 years. He is the consummate mentor to his colleagues, always willing to guide, advise and support fellow faculty members. He is a trusted scholarly and institutional resource, confidant, advocate, and friend to his colleagues in the History program and all parts of the school. Whisenhunt consistently goes above and beyond for his colleagues, frequently sacrificing his own personal time (and sometimes home) and energies to facilitate camaraderie, and to support, empower, defend and strengthen faculty through difficult personal and professional challenges as well as successes. The recent news that Ben will be retiring at the end of Summer 2022 frames all his above accolades and accomplishments as treasures that will soon be greatly missed.
Kathleen Hess has been an outstanding colleague in the Chemistry program/STEM Division due to her dedication, knowledge and determination to keep improving the Biology/Organic Chemistry classes as well as her collaboration with several faculty and staff throughout the College, based on her following exemplary work. Hess trained department faculty, both full-time and adjunct, on using the remote proctoring service, Proctor U, during COVID. She also wrote detailed instructions for using this system. She served as a committee member on the COD’s Remote Proctoring RFP and initiated the incorporation of presentation assignments for students in organic chemistry classes, titled “Scientists Who Changed the World.” Working with STEM librarian Laura Burt-Nichols, this project highlights the human side of science. In addition, she has made a significant effort to include women and historically underrepresented groups in the list of scientists to be researched. Hess and Burt-Nichols have also submitted an abstract to present their work at the 2022 Biennial Conference of Chemical Education.
Mara Baker is dedicated to preparing her students for success at COD and beyond. In addition to teaching introductory courses, skills in drawing, 2D Foundations and 3D Foundations, she has created advanced independent study opportunities, a color theory course, sculpture classes and a course in Professional Practices and Portfolio Development, which provides a critical opportunity for students to refine their portfolios for transfer, graduate school, artist opportunities, grants and work in the field. Baker has been a leader in challenging existing practices in the art field, which has resulted in redesigning the Art program’s syllabi and policies, creating diversity statements for the program, and actively discussing and teaching practices that promote an anti-racist learning environment. She recently had a chance to share this work with a broader group of faculty through a professional development opportunity. Baker established the Visiting Artist Series, which has grown each year and has featured a diverse group of over 40 local artists and collectives, internationally acclaimed artists, and MacArthur Fellows. It has been a pillar of the Art community at COD since 2015. Baker demonstrates COD’s values of integrity, honesty, respect, responsibility and equity throughout her work as a professor. Her teaching and service strengthens our community through excellence in teaching and learning that is inclusive, creative and innovative.
Robert Moorehead is spoken of highly by many of his students. He is innovative in the classroom, especially with technology. He can do things with Zoom and data that make internet learning fun and engaging. This was especially important during the COVID shut down. He gets to know his students individually and understand their particular challenges and what they face to better communicate with them. Moorehead focuses on more than the class; he focuses on his students’ emotional well-being. He also strives for holistic support. Students appreciate his honesty and candor. For Spring 2022, together with Tauya Forst in Criminal and Justice Studies and Stephanie Quirk in Student Life, Moorehead received funding for a Global Education Initiatives proposal to integrate EDU Africa’s “Global Legacies of Racial Justice” virtual exchange program into classes in Racial and Ethnic Relations, Constitutional Law, and Living Leadership.
Jason Ertz has shown outstanding leadership as a faculty member throughout the past few years. This includes representing librarians and counselors in important discussions during the last contract negotiations and serving on the campus’ Guided Pathways program as a member of the Steering Committee and Executive Council. He is outstanding in both organizational skills and communicating with his constituents, and Ertz has the flawless ability to work on a committee and keep everyone focused on the current task while allowing everyone to be heard. He is pleasant, easy to engage in conversation and great in giving explanations through reason. Beyond his efforts for the College, he excels in the performance of his duties as a reference librarian and liaison to the academic disciplines of English, Mass Communication, Education and Early Childhood Education. Also noteworthy are his collaborative efforts as co-instructor in the learning community “Research as Narrative” with colleague Tim Henningsen; co-organizer for the Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges (NILRC) 19th Annual Information Literacy Summit; and co-instructor in the NEH grant team-taught seminar on “Connections & Disconnections in U.S. Military Conflicts: From the Illinois Frontier to the Global Frontier.” Ertz is active in the community, most recently presenting a Q&A program at the Carol Stream Public Library on “Fake News.”
While Rosa Colella-Melki has been a member of the COD community for many years, she still finds it important to mentor new faculty when they come on board. The new faculty member that she is mentoring stated that Colella-Melki demonstrates the values of respect, responsibility and equity. For respect, she is patient and understanding with the novice status of the COD faculty member. She is open to all questions and concerns without judgment or criticism. For responsibility, she reaches out each week with the overview for learning objectives/outcomes. Finally, for equity, Colella-Melki has consistently treated her faculty mentee as a colleague who is a valued member of this team. She acknowledges professional growth needs at COD and recommends appropriate resources.
Mary Rojas Carlson joined full-time faculty approximately eight years ago and quickly became a vital part of the program’s team. She not only takes on the teaching of many marketing courses but has also worked at keeping those courses updated in an ever-changing field, moving many of them to online offerings, and working to ensure the offerings are current and relevant to employment today in those critical areas. She most recently developed a Social Media and Digital Marketing certificate to help ensure employability for those students who successfully complete the required coursework. Rojas Carlson has served on several COD committees and has provided many hours of summer advising to COD students. For Business/Management/Marketing, she has spent just as many hours ensuring her students know the transfer options available to them, regardless of whether they are pursuing a Management or Marketing degree or certificate. Rojas Carlson works to help not only her students but also her COD colleagues be stronger in their roles.
Sibyl Gallus-Price teaches Spanish and excels in accommodating the academic, social and emotional needs of all her students. In addition, she uses excellent classroom management techniques to produce a healthy classroom that is safe, resourceful and productive. She engages all students into each lesson, so they feel like they belong to the classroom community. Furthermore, Gallus-Price is extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the content being presented. She is the sole designer of the Spanish for Health Professionals I and II courses. Her extensive knowledge in curriculum planning, lesson design and course content tailoring allows her to develop a high-quality college-level course content for the face-to-face, hybrid and online learning environment. Lastly, Gallus-Price has the ability to influence students not only at school but within the community as well. She is a role model to all students. She always handles each situation in an appropriate way so that students can learn from those situations and apply them to their everyday life.
Preeti Kapoor is extremely dedicated to her students. She is one of those instructors who shows up well before the start of her lab, making sure all the equipment is set right and well before her lecture to make sure the demonstration equipment is there. She is always available to help with questions or homework, even though she is not required to have office hours. She has come in on her own time to allow a student to complete an exam. If additional sections of a class need to be added due to enrollment needs, Kapoor always volunteers to take them on. If course hours need to be changed or room or lab scheduling conflicts occur, Kapoor is always flexible enough to meet the requirements. She is an asset to the college and to her students.
Elise Cowin is a dedicated teacher who puts her students’ learning at the forefront. She is a mentor to her students, providing as much support as she can for their academic success. She is invested in the success of the Dance program through her teaching and enthusiasm for her classes. She is invaluable to the staff in resurrecting a program that suffered greatly due to the pandemic. Cowin researches and asks appropriate questions to ensure her students have the proper support during stressful times. As she has high expectations for her students, she exceeds the school’s expectations with regard to the College’s values of integrity, honesty, respect, responsibility and equity. Every semester, she collaborates with the MAC to execute a dance showcase for her Choreography and Composition class. This is far more time than expected, but she knows this is the key to provide the necessary environment to showcase her students’ efforts and support them as they garner confidence in delivering their work.
Joe Adduci has established pedagogical approaches in his classroom that engage and challenge his students. These tasks often require the students to collaborate and work in teams to come up with real-life solutions to complex problems. Through collaboration, teamwork and out-of-the-box thinking, Adduci believes the learning environment in his classroom not only ensures that the students master the subject material, but also learn how to operate in a modern workplace though adaptive collaboration. One of his higher profile activities was producing maps and research used in the Geography program’s Open Education Resource (OER) textbooks. In 2020-2021, the classes produced over 50 maps that were used in the Western World OER textbook and has recently begun creating maps related to the Eastern World textbook that will be published later this year. This experience gives the students the opportunity to create real-life products, thus being exposed to a realistic workflow. The students are all given publication credit for their work. Lastly, the classes are currently working to unite their skills to create a comprehensive report for the CENA group at the College. This report will examine student enrollment patterns over the past seven years in a spatial manner. Adduci is the recipient of many awards, including three Argonne Pacesetter Awards in the past three years related to laboratory work, and is a steering committee member of the Remote Sensing Innovation Working Group (RSIWG) and the UAS Research & Engineering Center (UREC).
Jessica Fish, whose expertise is in pediatrics and obstetrics, has taught numerous labs for the program and has taken the lead in teaching the obstetrics class. She also has taken assignments outside her specialty, demonstrating her flexibility and willingness to teach and grow in the discipline of nursing education. She also has taught in various clinical sites as well. In the past semester, Jessica took the lead to be clinical coordinator for Nursing 1230. She assisted in coordinating community sites, developing partnerships and relationships that helped students benefit from their experiences. Her quality of teaching is excellent. She continues to teach her students with evidence-based practice, often bringing current events up for discussion. She also has a positive outlook at all times and is professional in her methods of teaching and learning.
A valued adjunct since 2009, Dom Pacenti’s devotion, talent and commitment to his students has been even more evident these last two years. He worked with the rest of the automotive instruction team to overcome challenges the pandemic presented to ensure the best possible education for the students. He adapted quickly, changing his teaching style and incorporating innovative technology. He spent hours of his own time learning Blackboard Collaborate and has delivered high-quality virtual lectures. He has been flexible in his teaching modality and has set a high standard for the lab-based technology classes following all safety protocols. Pacenti has adjusted his schedule to meet departmental needs to support students in their learning goals. Student comments include the following: “This course was great. Dom is incredibly knowledgeable in his field and is fantastic with helping students when it came to in-person and hands-on assignments and labs. Dom is a great professor and an even better mentor.” “Instructor Dom is a great teacher who explains things the simplest ways possible. I like how he teaches, and he effectively can describe things in detail, if necessary.”
Jeff German maintains the highest level of professionalism during his course instruction. His classroom standards as it relates to course content, method of instruction and student success are exemplary. Each class is filled to capacity. German has created a library of six courses for law enforcement investigators and prosecutors. He is constantly thinking of new ideas and is open to development of new courses. He is a hard-working, dedicated instructor, and he submits his assignments before deadlines. His initiative of how he can better service the College is always on target. German is contacted by students who have attended his classes for two reasons. First, he provides regular insight and advice concerning the practical application to solve crimes all the time. Second, students who have received his instruction and guidance will contact him on a regular basis when a homicide case has been solved.
Aside from Amy Wasko’s excellent work in the classroom, she makes it her mission to update her courses curriculum to ensure her students are learning and being trained to the most current EMS standards. Students who complete her courses are some of the most well-prepared students seeking acceptance into a very rigorous paramedic training program. Having many of the best-prepared students is a big recognition for the EMS/Fire Science program and the College. Being a “team player,” Wasko works alongside Program Chair Joe Gilles, and she has worked during holiday, spring breaks and over the summer terms to ensure he has what is needed to either add or update a course so they are approved at all three levels (DCC, CCC and ICCB) without any delays. This dedication to the EMS/Fire Science program and the students within is exemplary. Wasko can be seen arriving at least an hour before class, ensuring the classroom, equipment and any areas being utilized for practicals are set up and ready to go. Other times, she may be discussing career paths, next steps for students in their studies, or just being there for a student who is having difficulty understanding new and complex material. Wasko has received many compliments from students, including, “Amy went above and beyond to ensure our success in this class. The assignments, quizzes, exams and study guides were all exactly as outlined, and matched the material covered. Amy is very knowledgeable and has a lot of real-world experience to use as examples in class, and always answers questions.”
Danice McGrath is an effective, collaborative and fun-loving professional all while helping others succeed and achieve their goals. She has a diverse amount of experience working for a global advertising firm and as an adjunct professor, event planner, community liaison, licensed counselor and lifelong learner. McGrath is a “bridge-builder." She always likes a challenge, leaping over obstacles and moving the ball forward while helping others to do the same. McGrath's colleagues said the following about her: "Danice is a compassionate and caring counselor and is an absolute joy to work with." "She is honest, dependable and incredibly hard-working. Beyond that, she is an impressive leader." "Danice has distinguished herself as one of the most involved and impactful counselors in our department." "She truly stands out as a motivated leader and a compassionate advocate for students." "She is very adept at working with special populations including our scholar students, LGBTQ+ population, first-generation students, DACA/undocumented students, and students with disabilities."
The faculty were selected for their excellence in teaching, service to the College, scholarly activities, community service and advising skills. Each will receive a monetary award from the College of DuPage Foundation.
Jude Geiger serves as a tireless, innovative, comprehensively outstanding and invaluable member of the Speech Communication department. He created an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook for Speech 1100 courses, produced new videos for the department at the start of COVID-19, and took a leadership role in designing and implementing assessment activities. His committee contributions address institutional process, assessment, judicial review and curriculum such as Middle East Studies and European Studies. Through his advising work, Geiger has supported students by writing more than 100 reference letters, creating in-class advising materials and providing advice to students seeking to attend law school.
Steve Santello led the effort to update much of the Game Programming and Design curriculum and began collaborating with the MPTV program to elevate the Game Animation and Design curriculum as a cross-discipline degree. He is co-chair of the Computer and Information Science program and a regular contributor to the annual STEMCON event, highlighting STEM fields to middle and high school students throughout the Chicago area. As a valued member of the STEM Center Faculty Committee, Santello has been instrumental in designing the Augmented and Virtual Reality lab, from identifying the physical layout to selecting appropriate hardware and software as well as training faculty and students on its effective use.
Joe Gilles, program chair of the Fire Science program, is currently an Illinois Department of Public Health Licensed Paramedic and Lead Instructor, American Heart Association CPR Instructor, and a National Registry of EMT’s Certified Paramedic. He continues to work in a clinical setting as an emergency room paramedic at Valley West Hospital in Sandwich. Because of his preparation and organization in the face of the pandemic, Gilles helped all of his students complete their clinical training as well as their remaining classroom and testing requirements within the required timeline.
Mirta Pagnucci's excellence as a teacher is matched by her kindness and willingness to try new things in the classroom. She is the advisor for the French and Italian culture clubs and is actively engaged in events organized by the European Studies Committee. She has been instrumental in successful Study Abroad programs to France and Italy, and she has taken the extra initiative to mentor a student in an Honors Independent Study while studying abroad.
Barbara Coe consistently goes above and beyond her work responsibility with mentoring students. During the pandemic, she held optional study groups in the evenings and on Saturdays for students to ask questions outside of her office hours. Coe stays updated in her field and makes program changes in real time to ensure the best outcomes. She has implemented new educational programs to help prep students for the required board exam to become credentialed to practice. Because of Coe’s strategy and diligence, the Respiratory Care program has produced some of the highest pass rates it has seen in years, even with tougher testing in place at the national level.
Students who take Scott Campbell’s courses leave knowing much more about the world and about thinking geographically. He provides advising for students who are interested in pursuing the GIS Certificate and becoming a geography major at four-year schools. He also has collaborated on writing an acclaimed OER textbook specifically for the Geography 1100—Geography of the Western World course. As an OER product, the online textbook is free, providing a substantial savings to students.
Dennis Emano took a deep interest in helping students during the difficult times of COVID-19 and social unrest, leading in a panel to support students. He continues to help train his department and the College on mental health and crisis issues through workshops and presentations during in-service. Interpersonally, Emano has a calm and thoughtful demeanor and has taken a leadership role by volunteering to address difficult conversations.
Alyssa Pasquale has rewritten and revamped all of the electrical engineering courses as well as creating courses where none existed. She also created the Digital Systems showcase, an opportunity for student groups to display their circuitry projects to the general student population. When courses became virtual due to the pandemic, Pasquale recreated all of the labs for Physics 1100 online, either recording videos of herself doing the experiments or writing programs to create simulations that help students complete labs on their own. In addition, she used her knowledge as a flight instructor to teach introductory aviation courses through Continuing Education and has helped develop an aviation curriculum.
Karen Pearson has been integral to the Architecture program’s ability to make a successful transition to remote teaching due to her deep knowledge of online pedagogy in the discipline. Through her support, she worked with many faculty members as they moved to online formats, helping them make their courses better while reducing any frustration and anxiety. She also provided creative solutions for hybrid studio configurations.
Jermel Joyner’s dedication and student-focused teaching style contribute to the success of his students and the Computer and Information Technology (CIT) program. He has championed the introductory CIT courses (CompTIA, A+ certification), launching many students on their IT career path. To support enrollment demand, he offered to add a new course to his teaching portfolio with little lead time. Recently, he piloted several new virtual learning tools and resources to help the program successfully deliver quality courses in a remote environment.
Annette Panzek has worked more than 30 years working as a real estate professional and 10-plus years teaching real estate education courses. Her top priority is her students’ learning. Working at the College is a part-time job in addition to Panzek’s full-time job as a real estate professional. The time and care she devotes to her students’ learning outcomes is truly admirable.
Mary Thon brings to her classroom passion and expertise in history that is contagious to her students. They cite Thon’s organization and attentiveness and say they feel supported. Her assignments and expectations are clear, and she gives prompt and detailed feedback. Thon shares her time and talents with the History program by attending discipline meetings, participating in panel discussion presentations and serving as a regular member of the Carter Carroll Award in History committee.
Katie Orzechowski is the chair the SLPA program and has helped it grow during the pandemic. She supports her fellow adjuncts to maintain high standards for the program and continues to assist with clinical placements. She is a positive role model for the students.
Bill Enright demonstrates his willingness to try innovative projects to support the political science discipline and student understanding of the American political system. For example, he was scheduled to teach a Learning Community with the MPTV program in which students would attend the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee (which was canceled due to the pandemic). He is remotely teaching American Politics to high school students as a dual enrollment class during, which will allow high school students to earn credit toward high school graduation as well as COD credit.
When the campus was shut down due to the pandemic, Raul Barrea rapidly wrote labs based on online simulations and videos. These labs were of such high quality that many were adapted by full-time faculty. When it looked like the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) would not allow labs based totally on simulations, Barrea’s efforts in using the recorded experimental videos under the Pivot system were a key part of allowing Physics 2111 to continue in a 100 percent remote format. His recorded videos in the lab were considered by the IAI to be “hands-on” labs.
Connie James-Jenkin is a librarian who not only knows how to find what you need, but she also expertly teaches how to do it yourself while making you feel more energized and ready to take on a challenge. When the Library was faced with the challenge of offering comprehensive services during the pandemic, James-Jenkin quickly volunteered to join the task force that gathered and evaluated research and best practices for safely establishing a limited onsite operation.
The faculty were selected for their excellence in teaching, service to the College, scholarly activities, community service and advising skills. Each will receive a monetary award from the College of DuPage Foundation.
Kathy Cabai has been instrumental in the development of the curriculum for the College’s Central Sterile Processing, Perioperative Nursing, Surgical Technology, Operating Room Patient Care Technician, Eye Care Assistant, Ophthalmology Technician, and Anesthesia Technologist programs. Cabai continues to act as a leader, mentor and educator to staff and students and inspires people to enter an area of health care about which she is passionate. For many years, she has served on various committees and has worked with educators in the Nursing program.
Bob Clark has led a redesign and restructuring of many of the classes, certificates and degrees within the HVACR program while dedicating countless hours to building out lab facilities with students, giving them practical knowledge and experience with a wide range of heating, cooling, electrical, airflow and electronic systems, equipment and technologies. Clark has provided expertise to the Welding, Manufacturing, Electro-Mechanical, Electronics, Horticulture and Automotive programs with electrical and hydronic consulting and installation guidance. He was the recipient of the Association for Career and Technical Education state and regional Career and Technical Education Educator of the Year awards in 2019. He has been a driving force in the Project Hire-Ed program creation and recruitment process.
As chair of the Math Transitions Committee, Kathy Dexter-Mitchell has invested extra hours and hard work to ensure the success of the College’s Math Transitions initiative. Her leadership has been critical to the memorandums of understandings with participating high schools and the formation of the local area panel. In addition to serving on the Calculus and Pre-Calculus committees, Dexter-Mitchell actively presents at conferences promoting the innovative Math Transitions initiative, including this spring at the League of Innovations, and is continually looking for new ways to improve the experience for her students.
With a keen understanding of teaching and learning, Lisa Higgins carefully thinks about every aspect of her teaching, including the content she presents, how she organizes it, how she delivers it and how she evaluates learning outcomes. She chairs the College’s Honors Program and has expanded the Honors course offerings and recruited more faculty to create and offer classes. Higgins creates programming for honors students, including pizza study groups and ice cream socials, and she provides significant academic advising for students throughout the College.
Colin Koteles has continuously provided forward-thinking leadership in Library technologies since he began working at the College 18 years ago. He has created and maintained increasingly excellent iterations of the Library’s website, has built the library catalog interface and has developed crucial work tools for staff and library faculty. As the Library’s computing technology, graphic arts and multimedia technologies subject specialist, Koteles maintains a thoughtfully developed resource collection and delivers outstanding instructional support for his students and faculty. He also teaches a core course in the Library and Information Technology program and offers workshops to faculty and students on a variety of technical subjects, including electronic portfolio development and privacy protection.
Ken Paoli demonstrates a breadth of expertise, strong positive energy and leadership in various COD programs. He is an active composer and performer and brings to his work a true credibility in both areas. He has presented and had his music performed in North America, online and in Asia. Paoli is forward-reaching as a composer, bridging the areas of electro- and electro-acoustic music. He regularly presents at the College’s Music Fridays@Noon series, enlarging students’ perspectives with a firm grasp of the innovative and modern, as well as its historical grounding. He ably demonstrates that one can be an innovative composer and a commercial performer.
Trytek has been a consistent driving force over this past year, planning and arranging a Recovery Symposium in September 2019, taking on a wide variety of courses, serving as a faculty advisor to a student club, and collaborating on a new open educational resource project for the Introduction to Addictions course. She is a strong researcher who consistently seeks out new information and findings from the field, which she shares with others and brings into her classroom.
Ben Buchenot has been teaching wood firing, alternative firing methods and Introduction to Ceramics at the COD since 2013 and has brought a new voice and energy to the ceramics curriculum. Buchenot provides an endless pool of information and artistic experiences to his students to help them reach self-realization and find their individual voices as artists and independent thinkers. He has an amazing ability to engage students in critical and analytical discussions that inspire enthusiasm for the ceramics medium.
Denise Kurtz-Walden is a dedicated, thorough and passionate instructor who brings real-world experience to the classroom and embraces new opportunities to challenge design students. She serves on the College’s Horticulture Program Advisory Board and is an integral part of the team that makes sure classes and events are industry-appropriate. She donates her time to lead the very popular annual Horticulture program’s Holiday Container Design classes, open to students, staff and the community. Her students’ work has been displayed in the Techcetera student gallery and at various College events.
Zhi Liu supports both the French and Chinese disciplines and distinguishes herself in teaching and co-curricular activities. She has been a tireless advocate for student involvement and has contributed to countless activities and events, including the Multicultural Mashup, Celebration of the Francophone World, County Institute Day, European Studies Committee, the Wheaton Festival of Cultures and Mardi Gras. Lui has been one of the College’s most enthusiastic and successful recruiters for global education and served as faculty director in the College’s Study Abroad programs in France and China.
Jenny Cerpa stepped into the Clinical Chair role for the Surgical Technology and Central Sterile Processing and Distribution programs and tirelessly worked to secure sites for 25 students. She welcomed phone calls and texts on Sunday afternoons to make sure COD students received the best possible experience. She often met during off hours to help struggling students and worked with the Health Sciences team to offer as much support as possible.
Stacie Haen-Darden teaches both Criminal Justice courses like Juvenile Delinquency and two personal development courses, Career Development and College Success Skills. Haen-Darden also has taken the lead to ensure the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice program for youth from the Illinois Youth Center-Warrenville is successful and that participants earn 10 college credit hours in speech, English, career development and college success skills.
Kaitlin Burgess goes above and beyond in her adjunct role. She has stepped up to substitute for faculty members and is currently teaching Math 0465, an intensive project-based course to accelerate remediation. Burgess also assisted in a pilot of a potential new book for Math 0465. She is open to new ideas and always willing to help or meet with full-time faculty to discuss any topic.
Laura Nenninger has been a member of the adjunct counseling faculty with the Counseling Services department for 24 years. She carries a wealth of knowledge about general academic advising and personal counseling, with a particular involvement in the Honors program and COD scholarship students. Nenninger is an active member of the departmental Programming and Mentor/Mentee committees, as well as the E-Communications and Honors committees.
These Divisional Faculty Members were selected for their excellence in teaching, service to the College, scholarly activities, community service and advising skills. Each will receive a monetary award from the College of DuPage Foundation.
David Ouellette serves as the chair of the Art program and is active in the development of field studies courses, is a member of the Animal Studies committee, and is part of the Pathways mapping initiative. He demonstrates a strong sense of leadership in the classroom and among his colleagues and is an exemplary faculty member in this regard. This past year, he led the remodeling of the McAninch Arts Center lecture hall into a state-of-the-art teaching facility.
Maureen Waller is involved in improving student outcomes in her role as coordinator and professor in the Associate Degree in Nursing program. She is a mentor to both faculty and students, often encouraging junior faculty to seek further education so they can become better teachers. Waller takes pride in providing exceptional support and service to new faculty and staff. She quickly identifies their individual needs and moves efficiently to provide necessary information, encouragement and direction.
Jim Filipek has the vision to proactively pursue the reality of skills demanded by the manufacturing workforce. His vision and involvement with industry are what consistently generates manufacturing scholarships for students at College of DuPage. Because of his efforts on behalf of students and the community, COD’s Manufacturing Technology program is well known and respected.
Bob Hazard is a professor who is dedicated to his students and to the College. He is revered for his excellence in both teaching and advising. Over the years, Hazard has participated in numerous committees, programs and initiatives, serving on the Faculty Instruction Committee, Faculty Senate, English Department Standards of Academic Progress (SOAP) Taskforce, Academic Integrity Committee and Composition Steering Committee. He was instrumental in the organization and sponsorship of the COD Student Veteran’s Club and was a strong supporter for the first COD Veterans Read-In, which has become an annual event at the College.
Earl Reed serves as Chair of the Physical Education department, where he has been a professor for 28 years. He has been an innovative leader in inspiring his colleagues and is a champion for students. Reed works closely with student-athletes in achieving success in the classroom and in life. He created a partnership with the ASEP coaching certification program, developed an intern partnership with Velocity Sports, and took the lead on the Sports Management 2+2 program being developed with Lewis University.
Jocelyn Harney has dedicated the past 30 years of her career to the Counseling and Advising division at COD. As the former administrator over the area, she made it her priority to have the Counseling faculty reflect the diversity of the students on campus. She continues this effort by mentoring new and senior Counseling faculty members. She continuously advocates on a larger scale to preserve the integrity of the Counseling faculty as a unique and integral part of the College. In her role as a counselor, she has led the SOAP committee in the implementation of effective programming for students with academic difficulties. She currently leads a team of counselors working with the veteran population while educating staff on the needs of veterans.
Michael O’Leary demonstrates excellence in his teaching and service to the College. His colleagues find him to be an invaluable asset to their discipline, through contributions to their curriculum and ability to teach a wide diversity of their courses. His mathematical publications exemplify scholarly activity worthy of recognition. He maintains currency in his discipline through his role in hosting a mathematical conference at COD, which raises the profile of the institution.
Ben Wahlund is a Grammy nominated, award-winning music educator, composer and performer. He serves as the Director of Percussion at College of DuPage and full-time percussion instructor at Northern Illinois University. His music compositions have won numerous international awards and are performed by professionals around the world. Wahlund creates lessons and performances that take into consideration that students have different levels of experience and knowledge of music. In doing so, he brings together a musical experience that celebrates all students and their skills.
Chris Oliva teaches editing, directing and survey courses in the MPTV program. He is popular in the classroom, bringing the credibility of work experience as a professional editor, and has an open and energetic rapport with students. Olivia extends his collaborative manner to colleagues and frequently assists as a substitute instructor throughout the program.
Vasilios “Billy” Pappademetriou’s positive and encouraging demeanor has a lasting effect. His students regularly share feedback that he is a great instructor. Not only does he teach the course material, but he also encourages their success as citizens in a technology-driven world. He regularly advises his students about the CIS courses and progressions to success. He also serves as an adjunct at one of COD’s four-year transfer institutions, acting as a liaison and easing the transfer path for many students.
Eric Tan creates an engaging learning environment for students, who praise his ability to relate to them and bring relevant topics to class. He respects his students and has faith in their ability to achieve. Tan also contributes by working on the College’s annual Writing on the Edge Conference and collaborating with other faculty at COD to produce “Teaching Hacks,” a podcast on pedagogy.
Kelly Hand is effective and displays extraordinary knowledge, courtesy and perseverance in assisting students and colleagues. Her confidence and expertise make her an excellent instructor. She accepts numerous teaching assignments in all disciplines and welcomes the opportunities and the challenges of the research assignments and students’ information needs.
Mark Boyle is a knowledgeable geographer who challenges his students about world events. Students consistently report that he presents information that is current and applicable to real-life situations. He helps students understand physical and human geography as well as ways in which geographical principles apply to housing, transportation and demographics. He is interested in inspiring students to think creatively and engages them in meaningful dialogue.
Jim Lungu is well known for his thorough but easy-going style, which guides students while still challenging them to gain the required knowledge. His approachable style helps motivate his students and gives them the confidence they need to be successful. As a practicing physicist working in the private industry, Lungu knows the real-world applications of the topics he teaches. His personal knowledge helps prepare the students for the trials they will meet after they leave his classroom.
Students expressed the following about Annie Knight: “As the program chair, she has provided insightful and useful information to help further my academic career. This has included advice on current and future classes, along with help in mapping out the overall program plan.” “She has been nothing but an inspiration for me. She has treated everyone in my class with kindness and patience. Her class was very informative and really opened my eyes to the legal profession. She wanted everyone to succeed and treated her students with empathy and compassion. I thought I would never go back to school, but I’m so glad that I did thanks to her.” “She has been amazing every step of the way in the Paralegal program.”
Students expressed the following in their nomination of Nazia Naqvi: “She advised me on my last semester of COD and what classes to take to prepare me for DePaul University next year. She said I should take an intro to programming class to prepare me for DePaul’s curriculum and she was 100% correct, now I feel more prepared.” “Nazia is so inspiring and really helped me narrow down what my education goals are. She understood my struggles and offered alternatives which have led me to the program I am currently enrolled in.” “Gives helpful advice, quick with emails and is flexible with schedules.”
Justine Amato is a dedicated, hard-working member of the COD community. She cares about her students deeply, is always willing to go the extra mile for them and wants them to reach their goals. She is also a team player, helping her colleagues in any way she can. Amato stands out as an outstanding member of her department as she exemplifies what it means to be a role model for helping students succeed.
Christopher Miller has a dramatic impact on students and is always happy to guide them on their path to success. Comments about him from students include the following: “His sense of humor and relatability with students helps us all bond.” “He is a charming, humorous teacher who makes the class brighten up and want to attend to learn and grow from his words and advice.” “I love that he asks his students what they need and helps you learn and guides you along the way.”
Emily Reabe has over 15 years of experience advising and counseling community college students. She inspires her students with her positivity and energetic personality and encourages them to believe in themselves. Her dedication to students allows them to have a smooth and successful experience at COD. Reabe brings her knowledge and insight to the Counseling Workshops, eCommunications, Starfish Advising and 3+1 departmental committees. This comment from a student sums up all of her nominations for this award: “She is not only caring but wants the best for any student she meets. She motivated me to do an advanced standing program and encouraged me to try my hardest. I have a 3.7 GPA because she pushed me. I wanted to do my best, but Emily believed I could do better without making it seem like I was not doing enough. She gave me enough to want to do better on my own. She not only advised me, but she also guided me. I am forever grateful for her help and her inspiring charisma.”
Alex Pellicano has been a full-time faculty member for just a few years, but he has already had a dramatic impact on the Construction Management program, becoming the primary faculty resource for construction management students. He has connected students to the industry and professional contacts through the Construction Management Club, always making himself available to meet with students to discuss their goals and guide them to achieving them. He incorporates advising on the basic level of course selections and the larger topic of career planning in all his classes. Through Pellicano, his students have been able to understand the full scope of opportunities open to them at COD and in the construction management field. Students have made positive comments about Alex and his teaching; for example, “He is the best teacher for construction, and he knows what he is talking about. Very engaging.”
Christine Jandak has become a valuable resource for both students and faculty in the Teacher Preparation/Education and Early Childhood Education and Care programs, as well as various certificate programs in the early childhood area. She advises students on certificate, degree and 3+1 programs as well as transfer options for pursuit of a degree in Education. Jandak offers her insight as a program advisor while serving on the both the Starfish planning committee and the Training committee.
Steven Mecker demonstrates his diverse mathematical knowledge in his classes, which include Finite Mathematics, Statistics and Calculus for Business. He also serves as an officer on the CODAA board for adjunct faculty. Students are impressed by his involvement in student clubs, especially during COVID-19. As a faculty advisor, Mecker made a concerted effort to keep students engaged, involved and working together during the pandemic.
Devin Chambers has 12 years of experience advising and counseling high school and community college students in Chicago Public Schools, Harper College and COD, where he has taught Education 1105 (Career Development) the past two semesters. He is dedicated to assisting undocumented students with degree completion and the transfer process. Chambers is also involved with Black Student Alliance, Learning Communities and First-Year Experience planning, as well as multiple departmental committees.
David Rogers has taught and developed curriculum for courses in the Graphic Design program, most recently Graphic Design 1101 (Digital Graphic Applications) and 1103 (Project Plan for Graphic Design). Rogers has always made students a priority, from advising them with class schedules and career opportunities to coordinating the annual Graphic Arts Open House. He also has been involved with the Graphic Design Advisory Committee, high school and university articulation agreements, and the Cooperative Education program.
During his tenure at COD, Michael Duggan has helped establish a variety of programs, including Project COACH, a vocational skills training program for students with developmental disabilities; Autismerica, a social/support group for students on the autism spectrum; and a chapter of Best Buddies for student-to-student mentoring. His first book, “First Class Support for College Students on the Autism Spectrum: Practical Advice for College Counselors and Educators,” was released in 2017. He is endlessly dedicated to his students and genuinely interested in their development and success.
As the faculty leader of COD’s Paralegal Club, Linda Jenkins works to bring in quality and informative speakers each week. She also runs the COD Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX), the paralegal honor society. Jenkins goes above and beyond to make sure that these two programs are both fun and educational. She cares deeply about each student in the paralegal program and does everything possible to make sure they are successful and grow to be as passionate as she is about the legal system.