By: Angela Mennecke
College of DuPage Respiratory Care Professor Barbara Coe has been honored with the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
The award, named after the respected former AACC president and CEO, is a testament to the exceptional dedication of faculty members who go above and beyond in their commitment to student success and academic excellence.
Coe is one of 36 instructors nationwide to receive the award, each nominated in various academic disciplines by members of the AACC, the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges.
I see my role as a facilitator at COD as someone who encourages curiosity and growth. I hope my students are excited to come to class and learn something new that will allow them to find their own paths.
Barbara Coe, COD Respiratory Care Professor
COD Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Jared Deane said Coe is well deserving of the honor, emphasizing her consistent ability to elevate standards within the classroom and expand her students' perspectives on their future careers.
“Barbara's commitment to excellence in education has not only brought immense pride to our Respiratory Care program but has also exemplified the high standards we strive for at College of DuPage,” Deane said. “This well-deserved recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges is a reflection of Barbara's outstanding contributions to our academic community, and we are fortunate to have her as a distinguished member of our faculty."
A respiratory therapist since 1984, Coe has worked at many hospitals and earned specialty credentials in adult critical care, pulmonary diagnostics and asthma education. She also went back to school and completed a Bachelor in Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, K-12.
A passion for teaching was ignited during her student teaching assignment at Gallaudet University.
“While I’ve always been fascinated by questions of language acquisition, it was my time at Gallaudet in the model high school on campus that electrified my interest in education,” she said. “I arrived shortly after I. King Jordan became the first deaf president. It provided the most honest and, in many ways, most personal education I’ve received to date.”
Coe came to COD in 2012 and enjoys creating an environment that brings out the best in her students, for whom she has five pieces of advice.
“One, ask for help when you need it,” she said. “Two, risk failure. Three, hang out in the ICU where you are assigned, even when your work is complete. You will learn so much just by listening to the attendings, residents, nurses and family members. Four, health care is a team sport, so be reliable and a good communicator on your team. Finally, find opportunity out of difficult situations.”
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.
“It’s important to have a personal, friendly and approachable relationship in the classroom, where trust and respect need to be palpable,” she said. “I see my role as a facilitator at COD as someone who encourages curiosity and growth. I hope my students are excited to come to class and learn something new that will allow them to find their own paths.”