Several College of DuPage administrators, faculty and staff members are recipients of the 2026 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award. The award recognizes community and technical college employees who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.

Pictured from top left, left to right, this year’s NISOD honorees are:

Administrators

• Assistant Vice President of Academic Partnerships and Learning Resources Tamara McClain
• Director of Access and Accommodations Samantha Salvato

Staff

• Program Specialist of Field Studies, Study Abroad and Global Education Lynn Dudzik
• Lead Student Accounts Representative and Accounts Receivable Dianne Hengler
• Manager of Access and Accommodations Kelli Kerns
• Assistant Athletics Director for Student Eligibility and Services Kelsey Plefka
• Division Support Specialist of STEM Marie Tenzinger
• Department Administrative Assistant of Intercultural Student Initiatives Princess White

Full-time Faculty

• Professor of Criminal and Justice Studies Eric Ramirez-Thompson
• Professor of Art Studio Jacqueline Weaver
• Associate Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant Rosemarie Butkus

Part-Time Faculty

• Adjunct faculty member of ESL/ABE/ASE Lily Mertes
• Adjunct faculty member of Aviation Mike Miley

NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical colleges. NISOD provides faculty-focused programs and resources for community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars.