NISOD is “a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges.” As a member of NISOD, we have the opportunity each year to nominate and send up to five qualified faculty or staff members (full-time or part-time) to the NISOD Annual Conference, which this year will be on on May 24-27, 2025, in Austin, Texas. 

A call for nominations goes out in September each year. Nominations may be submitted by faculty, administrators, support staff members, or students. Each person may submit only one nomination. 

Nominations for the 2025 award are due by 5pm on Friday, September 20, 2024. 

*Note:  To receive the award, nominees must have been an employee of ECC for at least three years prior to the time of nomination. Nominees are only eligible to win the NISOD Award once every five years.

Nominating Criteria:

The nominee should demonstrate excellence in the following areas:  

• Promotes and fosters a learner-centered environment

• Collaborates and develops partnerships across ECC and/or the greater community 

• Engages in innovative initiatives across campus

• Demonstrates positive and effective assistance to diverse learners in reaching their academic goals

• Provides exceptional services to students

• Provides leadership on campus and in the community

• Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and professional development of colleagues and one’s self

• Embodies ECC’s shared values:  Excellence; Freedom of Inquiry; Equity; Diversity; Ethical Practice; Accountability; Collaboration

• 2024:  Sarah Buzzelli, Wendy Chen, Chris Cunningham, Juan Fernandez, Sean Jensen, and Joshua Thusat

• 2023:  Liddy Hope, Natalie Leisering, Debra Norden, David Strossner, and Erin Vobornik

• 2022:  Luis Caballero, Mia Hardy, Lauren Nehlsen, Tyler Roeger, and Joe Rosenfeld

• 2021:  Diane Flahaven, Peter Gray, Michelle Kershner, Tim Moore, Pietrina Probst, and Kelly Scott

• 2020:  Marc Beth, Lori Jones, John Long, Lisa McCarthy-West, and David Zacker

• 2019:  Abigail Bailey, Marc Hucek, Amybeth Maurer, Tyler O'Donnell, and Annamarie Schopen

• 2018:  Diva Ajinth, Soma Chattopadhyay, Dawn Munson, Mary Peterhans, and Greg Wheaton

• 2017:  Chalyce Deterding, Michelle Kelty, David Lawrence, William Pelz, and Patrick Stewart

• 2016:  Tim Anderson, Elizabeth Becker, Kenny Beynon, Elizabeth McNulty, and Fred Vogt

• 2015:  Marilee Halpin, Terri Martin, Luis Martinez, and Rich Wince

• 2014:  Lauren Anderko, Michelle Brynelsen, Sally Guy, Clark Hallpike, Colleen Stribling, and David Zacker

• 2013:  Patti Jachowicz, Marcia Luptak, Catherine Moushon, David Reich, Linda Wallace

• 2012:  Lynn Ducar, Marybeth Koos, Gary Norden, Roger Ramey, Kim Tarver

• 2011:  Lori Clark, Nicole Scherger, Leticia Starkov, Katherine Storey, Laurel Vietzen

• 2010:  Heidi Eaton, Joyce Fountain, Crystal Kerwin, John Slawson, Armando Trejo

• 2009:  Alison Douglas, Linda Hefferin, Dan Kernler, Ronald Kowakczyk, Gregl Kramer, and Connie Orbeta

• 2008:  Tim Kaar, Linda McEwan, Rachael Tecza, Susan Timm, and Maryann Tuerk 

The Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award honors faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the learning environment of the college and who are dedicated to student success. Recipients are also nominated for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Outstanding Faculty Member Award. Specific criteria for this award include the nominee’s demonstrated excellence in teaching, initiative on innovative programs, service on technical or special committees, leadership in helping solve challenges and participation in state and/or national education associations. One full-time and one part-time faculty member receive the award each year. 

*Note:  To receive the award, nominees must have been an employee of ECC for at least three years prior to the time of nomination. Nominees are only eligible to win the Orrin G. Thompson Award once every five years.

Nomination Process:  

Once the call for nominations goes out early in the spring semester, students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit nominations by answering the question on the Electronic Nomination Form.  Additional information, used for choosing a winner and also for submitting nominees for the ICCTA awards, is then solicited from nominees. This information includes initiative on innovative programs, service on technical or special committees, leadership in helping solve challenges, participation in state and/or national education associations, awards and recognition, and ongoing professional development. 

Please direct any question to Tyler Roeger, Associate Dean of CETAL, at troeger@elgin.edu.

Nominating Criteria:

Nominees should exemplify and, thereby strengthen the shared values of the college community which are: Excellence, Freedom of Inquiry, Equity, Ethical Practices, Accountability, Respect for Diversity & Community Engagement  

Full and part-time faculty in good standing with the college may be nominated. 

• 2024:  Jennifer Clark and Umberto Tinajero

• 2023 Deyana Matt & Antonio Ramirez

• 2022 John Karnatz & Parul Raval

• 2021 Timothy Kaar & Robert Russ

• 2020 Soma Chattopadhyay & Colleen Stribling 

• 2019 Helen DiNardo & Heidi Eaton

• 2018 Jane Maas & Greg Wheaton 

• 2017 Soma Chattopadhyay & Patrick Stewart 

• 2016 Elizabeth Soderquist & Kim Tarver

• 2015 John Mravik

• 2014 Alison Douglas

• 2013 Dan Kernler

• 2012 Mary Beth Koos

• 2011 Letecia Starkov

• 2010 Jill Russell

• 2009 Ronald Kowalczyk

• 2008 Connie Orbeta

• 2007 David Sujak

• 2006 Andy Erbach

• 2005 Laurel Vetzen

• 2004 Stephanie Johnson

• 2003 Brent Steel

• 2002 Mark Pelczarski

• 2001 Hani Qasmieh

• 2000 Dan Gardner

• 1999 Linda Hefferin

• 1998 Loren Weaver

• 1997 Dan Gardner