Nunez Community College was in the spotlight during the recent Louisiana Technical and Community College System (LCTCS) State Conference held September 25-27, 2019 at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans.
Faculty, staff, and students from Louisiana’s twelve community and technical colleges gather annually to share best practices and participate in professional development. The annual meeting is also a time to celebrate many successes throughout the state. Nunez was recognized multiple times during the three days.
Dr. Monty Sullivan, LCTCS President, and Dr. Tina Tinney, Nunez Chancellor awarded Nunez faculty and staff members for their extraordinary contributions to the college. Those receiving awards included Stephanie Hoskins – Outstanding Support Staff, Bobby Turner – Outstanding Professional Staff, Conrad Childress – Distinguished Retiree and Dr. Lauren Englade-Franklin – Outstanding Faculty.
Dr. Lauren Englade-Franklin received the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Lauren was selected from all of the nominees throughout the state. She received a $5,000 stipend. This is the second year in a row for a Nunez faculty member to receive this award. Katherine Lemoine received the inaugural award in 2018. Dr. Englade-Franklin reacted to the moment she received the award, “It was surreal to be recognized in front of so many of the great educators in our LCTCS system. When they called my name I was shocked, deeply humbled, and excited to receive this honor both for myself and for Nunez. I will never forget the experience”.
When asked what the accolade meant to her, personally and professionally, here’s what she shared, “My passion for teaching started with working as a stockroom assistant at my undergraduate institution and continued throughout my graduate career. As other students from graduate school were moving on to industry or research jobs, I decided to teach so I could give back the passion for science that was given to me. Receiving this award is confirmation for me that I made the right choice to pursue a career in academics. I’ve learned that there is no better job for me than helping students realize their potential to pursue careers in science.”
Dr. Englade-Franklin continued, “this award is not only an honor for me to receive as an educator, but also a great testament to the support, dedication, and collaboration that is at the heart of Nunez Community College. At Nunez, our core values include teaching and learning, being student-centered, caring, integrity, and innovation. I have made these values a foundation for all of the work I do as an educator which has helped me to make an impact on the students I teach. I am truly blessed to work with such dedicated, caring, and cooperative administrators, faculty, and staff.”
Also during the conference, Boeing was awarded the Walter G. Bumphus Excellence in Leadership Award during the Impact Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday night of the conference. Named after Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, LCTCS President from 2001-2007, this award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, and industry who have demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities that have improved higher education. Recipients of this award have advanced innovative strategies to improve opportunity and excellence in higher education, have demonstrated through activities that have been implemented, leadership qualities that have been central to the achievement of substantial improvements in higher education.
Through purposeful investments of employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing has worked in tandem with Nunez Community College to create and promote a unique curriculum for our state and region that provides educational and workforce opportunities toward the pursuit of a degree and certifications in Aerospace Manufacturing Technology. Employees have engaged with Nunez to craft a curriculum designed to deliver relevant and innovative educational opportunities that lead to an Associate Degree as well as multiple exit points and certifications.
Nunez faculty and staff presented a variety of educational sessions as part of the professional development offerings during the three-day conference. Those presenting from Nunez included Dr. David Vumbaco – STEAM Coordinator, Lenny Unbehagen – Executive Dean of Continuing Education, Klaus Heyer – Biology Professor, Anastasia Joyner – Culinary Arts Instructor and Matthew Woodward – Community Partner.
Faculty and staff returned to campus after a full three days to prepare for mid-terms and the upcoming start of registration for the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters. For more information about Nunez and the programs offered, visit www.nunez.edu.
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