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ANNUAL REPORT

2014-2015

EXCELLENCE

Student Excellence

The Dwight O. Ryan Student Achievement Awards are presented annually to the most outstanding student in each degree-awarding division. Winners are selected for academic achievement, attitude, motivation, participation in and outside the classroom, contributions to benefit the program, and involvement in student organizations. Congratulations, students!

                                   Korey Butler

 

                                   Korey is a 2014-15 Student Ambassador

                                   who is actively engaged in the campus

                                   community. She is Publicity Secretary for

                                   Phi Theta Kappa, a member of the

                                   Disciplinary Review Grievance Committee,

                                   and a Big Buddy Volunteer. Korey is also a

                                   mother of two. She has a 3.83 GPA and

                                   plans to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill to earn a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications.

STUDENTS

Dwight O. Ryan Student Achievement Awards

Megan Dew

Mathematics and Sciences

 

Suzanne Leone

Applied Engineering and Technologies

 

Korey Butler

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

 

Heather Therien

Business and Public Services Technologies

 

Ismael Soki

Health Sciences

 

Adelin Ramos (not pictured)

Computer Technologies

 

Excellence in Teaching

Wake Tech professors and instructors are a diverse group with a common goal: student success. All our faculty members are dedicated to helping students experience the joy of learning and prepare for a rewarding future. Each year, Excellence Awards are given to faculty in each division whose innovative thinking and unwavering dedication truly stand out. From this exemplary group, one is chosen as Faculty Member of the Year.

                                   Jason Whitehead

                                   Instructor, Natural Sciences – Chemistry

 

                                   Jason Whitehead is a chemistry instructor

                                   in the Department of Natural Sciences and

                                   also Director of the Wake Tech Honors

                                   Program on Main Campus. In his time at

                                   Wake Tech, he has developed the

                                   CheMOOC to help students prepare for

                                   college chemistry, worked to improve the  Honors Program, and pushed grants forward to develop his technical and teaching skills (and those of colleagues) through professional development. His teaching focuses on the use of video and technology in seated, online, and MOOC environments, with the goal of making chemistry approachable and relatable to everyday life.

 

FACULTY

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Tonya Greene

Associate Professor; Director, First Year Academy

 

Phillip Jefferson

Instructional Program Director, Architectural Technology

 

Kate Kiec

Associate Professor, Spanish

 

Denise Barton

Professor, Business Administration

 

Lara Sheppa

Associate Professor, Nursing

 

Susan Engel

Instructor, Medical Office Administration

 

Jason Whitehead

Instructor, Chemistry; Director, Honors Program

 

Excellence in Service

Wake Tech staff members bring an impressive array of talents to the task of keeping our multi-campus college running smoothly. Staff in every department and division work together to make this a thriving college community. Excellence in Service Awards are given each year to outstanding staff members whose efforts inspire us all – and one from that group is chosen for the special distinction of Staff Member of the Year.

                                   Dr. John Boone

                                   Dean, Institutional

                                   Effectiveness, Accreditation

                                   and Research

 

                                   John Boone has worked in Institutional

                                   Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Research

                                   since 1997. Previously, he worked in the

                                   Evening Division (Continuing Education

                                   Services) and the Learning Resource

                                   Division (ILC and Audiovisual Department).

John has been instrumental in transforming several college processes from paper to electronic systems (Weave Online; Survey and Research Requests; Storage of SACSCOC reports). As the college’s accreditation liaison, John led the recent reaffirmation process of SACSCOC reaccreditation, in which Wake Tech received “no recommendations” for improvement from the SACS committee (October 2014) – an “extremely rare” accomplishment, according to SACS. John is currently president of the NC Community College Planners and Research Organization, a position he has held since 2013.

STAFF

Excellence in Service Awards

Rhonda Thomason

Assistant to the Dean, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

 

BJ Edwards

Business Services Project Manager

 

Connie Zimmerman

Assistant to the Dean, Computer Technologies

 

Michelle Ford

Secretary, Nursing

 

Angela Spivey

Human Resources Analyst

 

John Boone

Dean, Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation & Research

 

Clay Hines

General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Services

 

Gina Beaudry

Assistant Registrar, Audit and Compliance

 

* Jason Whitehead and John Boone will represent Wake Tech at the statewide NCCCS Excellence Competition in 2016.

Community Partners

Wake Tech is all about partnerships! It takes teamwork of the highest order to provide education, workforce training, lifelong learning resources, and opportunities for our region’s diverse citizenry to continue to grow professionally and stay ahead of changing technologies and trends. These local companies have made outstanding contributions in support of Wake Tech’s mission.

Corporate Benefactor of the Year: ABB

ABB has gone above and beyond, investing more than $155,000 in Wake Tech’s Electronics Engineering and Electrical Systems Technology departments. The company has also provided extremely valuable co-op opportunities and employment to Wake Tech students.

Individual Spirit of Giving Award: Mike Desmond

Mike has been a member of the Wake Tech Foundation Board of Directors since 2009. In addition to his time and expertise, he has given generously to the college, making numerous personal contributions and helping to secure many others. Mike’s support has provided more than 70 student scholarships, multiple vehicle donations, and co-op and employment opportunities for students in Wake Tech’s Automotive program.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Judge Paul Gessner

A 1985 graduate of Wake Tech’s Criminal Justice program, Judge Gessner went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate from law school. He served as a prosecutor and was elected to serve as a Wake County District Court Judge. Ten years later, he was elected to serve on North Carolina’s Superior Court, where he presides over jury trials in 34 counties.

Volunteer of the Year: Dorothy McKelvie

Dorothy has been volunteering in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes twice a week for more than five years, often making home visits and providing transportation. She was invaluable as students transitioned to the new Beltline Education Center.