CC names NISOD award recipients

Clarendon College is proud to announce its recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards, Dr. Jeremy Sain and Linda Rowland.

NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. The response to that ceremony was so positive that NISOD began what has become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff.

Last fall, Sain and Rowland developed a new math pilot program where students needing developmental education were enrolled directly into college level courses paired with a supplemental lab. This shortened path has proven to increase the percentage of entering developmental students that successfully complete a college-level course and has cut the time to complete that college-level course by up to three semesters. Additionally, this has resulted in significant tuition saving to students and a great overall chance of graduating college.

“Mrs. Rowland and Dr. Sain are most deserving of this award,” CC President Dr. Robert Riza said. “This recognizes their hard work and dedication to their students in the math program, allowing students to gain college level credit and bypass the developmental process, saving the students both time and money. They earned this award by recognizing a barrier to student success and they found a way to get around it. Instead of doing the same old thing, they achieved greatness. I am very proud of them and it is an honor to work with them.”

“Clarendon College is, indeed, proud of what Mrs. Rowland and Dr. Sain have initiated,” CC Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Roger Schustereit said. “They really care about helping students. I believe all our teachers share this desire to make our students successful.”

Excellence Award recipients will be celebrated during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 28-31, in Austin, Texas.

“Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “The extraordinary work of these men and women includes not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.”