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• 2004 Recipients

Barb Cook - Senior Secretary, Continuing Education
(District Office) 
  
"The glue that keeps Continuing Education together" is how one colleague describes Barb Cook, senior secretary for Continuing Education. "A wealth of information," says another. Her cheerful demeanor, excellent problem solving skills and willingness to tackle new challenges make her a valuable member of the CE team.

Barb volunteered to participate in certification training for the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence (IRPE) program so that she could understand the criteria and better help CE redefine their processes. Another example of her initiative is the lead she has taken in coordinating CE's planning for the new Datatel system. She is now recognized around the state as the expert on the transition for CE, and other community colleges frequently copy her procedures and call her to consult on problems they face. Barb also offered to coordinate two new programs, one of the largest mine safety training programs in Iowa and Scott County's "People's Law School," which has grown and expanded under her supervision.

Barb values education, both for herself and others. She has earned her bachelor's degree since coming to the District, teaches as an adjunct in the AOS program and volunteers as a literacy tutor at CAC.

"If the criteria for the Chancellor's Award includes going above and beyond the call of duty as well as a complete commitment to providing excellent service to internal and external customers," writes a colleague, "then Barb Cook clearly falls at the very top of the eligibility list." 

 
Kimberly Darling and Wynne Schafer - Interior Design Instructors
(Scott Community College) 
 
As faculty members in the interior design program at Scott Community College, Kimberly Darling and Wynne Schafer have found exciting ways of making their teaching come alive, and the District has been the beneficiary of many of those lessons.

In the past few years, Kimberly and Wynne have incorporated several real design projects around the District into their students' learning plans. The results have been "not only a wonderful aesthetic change, but they also model effective and efficient workflow," writes a colleague. Some of the projects they have designed and implemented include the faculty/staff lounge, cafeteria and student services area at SCC and design proposals for the student services area at Clinton and the student center at Muscatine.

Perhaps the piece de resistance, though, is the recently completed SCC Library. "The SCC Library was renovated from a sea of gray into a beautiful, dynamic learning space," writes a nominator. "The students were able to take what they learned in their classes to create a restful yet stimulating place where students can learn."

Kimberly and Wynne also guide their students through the process of designing interiors for the college's Student Built Home each year. It's no surprise, then, with these kinds of real-world learning experiences, that the students in the interior design program graduate with a 100% placement rate and the visibility of the program continues to rise in the community.

"Kimberly and Wynne are huge assets to our students, our institution and the community," writes a colleague. "Their dedication to their profession and the quality results they produce put EICC in the spotlight." 

 
 Rita Holm - Senior Secretary, Student Development & Admissions
(Clinton Community College) 
  
Rita Holm could be described as Clinton Community College's "Goodwill Ambassador." Whether helping students in the Student Services area at CCC or representing the college in the community, Rita is known throughout the community as a cheerful, patient and responsive representative of the college.

"Rita always has time for those who need her assistance or guidance, an important trait in the area of student services," writes a colleague. "She makes each student feel as though they chose the right place to begin or complete their education."

Rita is involved in many college activities, particularly with the Alumni Association, which she recently served as secretary. She has been on the front lines of several association activities, including their support of the B-rrry Scurry race, Riverboat Days and the annual golf outing, and hosts all association events at the college. In addition, she is deeply committed to the Clinton community and is involved in the Art Association, YWCA and the Women's Club, which she serves as president. She also serves the college on the drama and fine arts and international and cultural diversity committees and provides great support for the annual High School Quiz Bowl.

"Rita is a great advocate for the cultural opportunities of the Clinton area, and an excellent representative of Clinton Community College," writes a co-worker. 

 
Jane Hudson - Business Instructor, (retired)
(Muscatine Community College) 
 
Jane Hudson, who retired in May after 17 years teaching management and supervision courses at Muscatine Community College, has used her green thumb to cultivate a wide variety of blooms, from a beautiful campus to successful small businesses and global education.

"Put simply, the reason the college campus looks like a public garden is because of Jane Hudson's endless hours of care and hard work," writes a nominator. "Many nights, deep in the humid hours of July, Jane is on campus pulling weeds, tending beds and cutting flowers. The recently completed Water Garden is a direct result of Jane's emphasis on beautifying the middle part of the campus. And her pioneering work with the college's horticulture program and Muscatine Garden Club put the campus on the map in the flower-growing community." All of this tending, plus care of the plants in Strahan Hall, was a volunteer labor of love.

In addition to cultivating her credit students in the business program, Jane also served as an advisor to small business start-ups in the Muscatine area, helping entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development Center. Her work as advisor of the college's International Club and her participation in an international exchange experience in South Africa helped her grow global connections between EICC and students and businesspeople in other parts of the world.

When it comes to Muscatine Community College, Jane is most definitely a "Master Gardener." 

 
Ellen Kabat-Lensch - Dean of Arts & Sciences (SCC), and
Director Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC) 
  
Ellen Kabat Lensch loves nothing more than a good challenge, and she's had plenty of those "opportunities" at EICC. She started her community college career fresh out of college as a lab assistant at Scott. In the ensuing 20 years, she has run a dealer school for the riverboats, become the District's point person for the ICN and distance learning, and developed an internationally acclaimed environmental education center.

As ATEEC director, she is responsible not only for overseeing the production of some of the best environmental technology curriculum in the country but also for maintaining current and identifying new funding sources to keep this national clearinghouse going. In large part because of her vision and tenacity, the National Science Foundation has awarded ATEEC more than $10 million over the last 10 years and considers the center a model for others to emulate.

"Ellen is the first to step forward to present or entertain new ideas and look at new partnerships," writes a colleague. "Challenges are never a roadblock for good initiatives but a mere obstacle in finding a successful resolution for all parties involved."

Two years ago, Ellen brought her legendary energy to additional duties as SCC's dean of arts and science. She has fostered a relationship of mutual respect with the faculty and encourages innovation, providing strong support for the teaching and learning process.

"Ellen is proof that an honest, fun and compassionate style of leadership will boost morale more than anything else," writes a staff member. "She has helped to build my self-confidence just through the trust she puts in me." 

 
Elaine Mercado - Lead Supervisor, Eastern Iowa Job Training
(Jackson County) 
 
Elaine Mercado, lead supervisor for Eastern Iowa Job Training's Jackson County office, "doesn't see any obstacles" when faced with a new challenge, writes a long-time colleague. "She knows there is a way, and she finds it."

Two examples of this are the manufacturing skills class and the youth work readiness curriculum she spearheaded. The short-term manufacturing skills program resulted in 100% placement for graduates, who learned basic manufacturing and job seeking skills. When she saw that many area youth were seeking jobs without appropriate preparation, she conducted an employer forum to identify minimum competencies for youth, resulting in a work readiness curriculum that will soon be implemented to help eligible youth get credentials for learned skills.

Well-known for her creativity in solving problems, commitment to clients and dedication to economic development, Elaine is a "passionate advocate for the economic well-being of Jackson County," says a local plant manager. Both in her EIJT role and as the recent chair of the county's economic development commission, Elaine is a key member of the team that works to attract and keep employers in the county. "She has gone beyond the call of duty to dig for information that would enhance a recruiting opportunity," writes an economic developer, and also developed the county's economic development web site. One example of her going the extra mile in recruiting new companies is the effort she led to recruit and screen 4000 applicants and hire 450 new employees for the new Family Dollar Distribution Center. She is also a tremendous resource for employees of companies on the other end of the spectrum, connecting dislocated workers with assistance and EICC training opportunities when plants close.

Elaine is known throughout Iowa as an expert on the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). She is in charge of all regional and staff training for WIA and is in demand statewide for her "WIA 101" training program. Her teaching skills and compassion for youth extend to her personal life, as well. Elaine has served as a foster parent for more than 20 children in Jackson County and holds annual reunions for her extended family.

"Elaine is never 'off the job,'" writes a colleague. "She wants everyone to have a job, an education and pursue their dreams." 

 
Ryan Welch - Lab Assistant and Adjunct Biology Instructor
(Clinton Community College) 
 
"No worries" is Ryan Welch's response to any new task or challenge, and this can-do attitude has quickly endeared him to his colleagues at Clinton Community College. His gift for anticipating needs and initiative in solving problems have made him a valuable member of the team at CCC.

As the lab assistant, Ryan helps five instructors prepare for six different courses, a job requiring tremendous organization and careful communication. "He completes the lab preparations and setups accurately and expeditiously, requiring no supervision," writes a faculty member. "I am always confident that when Ryan makes a commitment, he is invariably reliable; no one ever needs to remind him." He is also appreciated for his "ingenuity and resourcefulness" in caring for the lab equipment. He has found ways to repair equipment, used his extensive contacts to acquire replacements at very reasonable rates and negotiated extended warranties on new equipment at no cost.

As an adjunct instructor, Ryan is dedicated to providing quality instruction to his students and works very closely with full-time faculty. He is eager to learn how to become an even better teacher, and has "regularly sought out other faculty for discussion and consultation," a colleague writes.

Ryan is also well known for his willingness to help in other areas. He takes part in the annual prairie burn at the Graphic Arts Technology Center, works with two local grade schools to teach fourth- and fifth-graders about the prairie, assists in preparations for Continuing Education classes and helped the facilities department with the recent U.S. EPA inspection. "Ryan's willingness to help with things that are not related to his job description has generated a considerable amount of goodwill," a colleague notes.

"Ryan has certainly made our lives easier with his willingness to do tasks over and above what is required," writes a staff member. "He is a great team player and we are lucky to have him at Clinton."