Six Blinn College District faculty and staff recognized with 2024 NISOD Excellence Awards
Recipients will be honored with medallions recognizing their service to students and the community
May 7, 2024
Six Blinn College District faculty and staff members have received 2024 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards for their dedication to Blinn students.
Jessica Garza, Veterinary Technology Program Director; Craig Jeffrey, Assistant Dean for the Division of Arts, Kinesiology, and Agriculture; Mary Lange, Vocational Nursing Program Instructor; Julie Marshall, Administrative Assistant to the Blinn College Executive Dean at Texas A&M-RELLIS; Michelle Shoemaker, Admissions and Records Training and Development Coordinator; and Rachel Valentine, Reference and Instruction Librarian will receive commemorative pewter medallions from NISOD to mark their achievements. Each winner will be recognized during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence held May 25-28 in Austin.
“It is a pleasure to congratulate these individuals for this well-deserved recognition and to celebrate their invaluable contributions to our institution,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Their achievements inspire their colleagues and students to pursue excellence in all their endeavors. Congratulations to all the award recipients for setting such a high standard of professional and educational excellence.”
NISOD is a membership organization that promotes and celebrates excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. First presented in 1989, NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.
Faculty, staff, students, and departmental supervisors made nominations based on character and integrity, effectiveness as instructors, involvement in student organizations and activities, service to Blinn, and participation in professional organizations and professional development activities. Final recipient selections were made by Blinn’s Professional Development Funding Committee.
Garza joined Blinn in 2020 as a full-time instructor for the Veterinary Technology Program before transitioning to the role of clinical coordinator. In 2023, she became program director and also serves as the advisor for the Blinn Veterinary Technology Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
Garza is an active member of the veterinary profession. She holds memberships in the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the NAVTA, and the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators and is vice president of the Veterinary Team Association of Texas.
“I am truly blessed to teach the future credentialed veterinary technicians in our community,” Garza said. “It gives me great joy to see the knowledge, confidence, and passion our Blinn students have at the end of their educational journey. It serves as a reminder that we all started somewhere, but a dedicated and compassionate mentor can truly bring out the best in someone. It is an honor to be part of an amazing institution that recognizes the dedication that faculty put into their students.”
Jeffrey began teaching in Blinn’s Architecture Program in 2010. He earned his associate degree in arts and architecture from Lee College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and his Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University.
My goal is to support Blinn students and provide them with the foundation they need to be successful, whether they choose to transfer to a four-year institution or go directly into the industry. For me, teaching is a joy and I feel privileged to work at an institution that supports a creative and innovative learning environment to ensure student success.
Lange began mentoring Blinn Vocational Nursing Program students while working as a staff nurse at a Brenham area hospital affiliate’s birthing center. She combined her passions for nursing and education by joining Blinn’s faculty in 2007. Lange’s courses focus primarily on nursing fundamentals, clinical simulation, and maternal-neonatal nursing.
She has been a registered nurse for 40 years since graduating in 1984 from Foothills Hospital School of Nursing (associated with the University of Calgary) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I strive to foster a collaborative and interactive classroom where discussion and inquiry are encouraged. By incorporating real-world examples and bringing hands-on experiences to my students, I hope to make nursing relevant, engaging, and meaningful. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a team of talented educators working toward the same goals. Together we are stronger.
Marshall joined Blinn in 2009 as an enrollment services specialist. She also served as an accounts payable and student collections clerk before transitioning to her current position supporting the Executive Dean of Blinn at Texas A&M-RELLIS when the campus opened in 2018. Marshall assists the executive dean by coordinating campus logistics, interacting with students, and working with staff, faculty, and administrators across all six of Blinn’s physical campuses.
It is an honor to be recognized for this award and I accept it for each person I work alongside. Taking the time to ask students or colleagues, ‘How are you doing?’ or ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’ and then listening to their answer is something I always strive to do. These simple acts have the power to let others know that someone sincerely cares, which may ultimately brighten their day.
Shoemaker has been with Blinn for more than 20 years. She began her career in the Distance Learning Department as a support specialist before moving into the Admissions and Records Department. In her current position as Admissions and Records Training and Development Coordinator, she organizes course entry, online forms, and New Student Registration. Shoemaker also teaches part-time in the Division Business and Mathematics.
She earned her associate degree in liberal arts from Blinn, and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human relations and business from Amberton University.
I have seen so many changes over the past 20 years, but the one thing that remains unchanged is Blinn’s commitment to students. Being part of that commitment has been an honor, and being recognized with this award is very appreciated.
Valentine joined Blinn in 2014 as a full-time reference and instruction librarian. In addition to this role, she serves as an advisor for Blinn’s Alpha Phi Lambda chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa student honor society.
Valentine earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in modern British women’s history from London Metropolitan University, and a master’s in library science from Texas Woman’s University.
I love to teach students about the research process and how to navigate the information landscape. I think it is wonderful that Blinn places such a large emphasis on student success and that the libraries can be recognized for playing an active role in the academic achievements of Blinn students.
Registration is available now for Blinn’s May minimester, summer, and fall 2024 courses.
For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
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