RVC-Named-Finalist-for-National-Awards.php

RVC Named Finalist for National Awards

• Awards
• 02/17/2025

Rock Valley College (RVC) continues to gain national attention for its dedication to student success and workforce development. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has named RVC a finalist in two distinguished award categories, recognizing the college’s leadership and innovation in higher education. This acknowledgment places RVC among the top community colleges in the country and highlights the significant impact of its programs and initiatives

Each year, the AACC Awards of Excellence recognize exceptional work at community colleges across the United States. These awards celebrate colleges that are making meaningful contributions to student success, advancing diversity and inclusion, and strengthening economic and workforce development in their regions. Being named a finalist in two categories reflects the hard work and commitment of RVC’s faculty, staff, and leadership in fostering a learning environment where all students can be successful.

RVC is one of only a few institutions to be named a finalist in multiple categories, a testament to the outstanding work happening in the stateline area. This year, the AACC Awards of Excellence received nominations from numerous institutions nationwide, showcasing the depth of talent and innovation within the community college sector.

RVC has been named a finalist for:

• Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging – Recognizing colleges that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through policies, practices, and innovative programs that support underrepresented students and employees.
• Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership – Honoring institutions that have developed exceptional partnerships with corporate partners to enhance workforce development. RVC’s collaboration with AAR has become a model for other colleges to follow in their own communities.

Dr. Howard Spearman, RVC President, expressed his pride in the recognition: “Being named a finalist for these prestigious awards is a testament to the incredible work happening at Rock Valley College. Our faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to fostering a learning environment that promotes equity, opportunity, and success. I am RVC Proud of our hard work, commitment, and the impact we are making.”

Dr. Hansen Stewart, Vice President of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development, highlighted the significance of the college’s partnership with AAR: “Our collaboration with AAR is a shining example of how colleges and businesses can work together to create meaningful workforce development opportunities. We are honored that AACC has recognized this partnership as a model for others to follow.”

The AACC Awards of Excellence underscore the association’s priorities and bring national visibility to promising practices among its member colleges. Winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence Gala on April 15 during the AACC Annual Conference, which takes place April 12-16 in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year’s Awards of Excellence categories and finalists are:

Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging

• Long Beach City College (California), Mike Munoz, president
• Madisonville Community College (Kentucky), Cynthia Kelley, president/CEO
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mary S. Graham, president
• Northern Virginia Community College, Anne Kress, president
• Rock Valley College (Illinois), Howard J. Spearman, president

Exemplary CEO/Board Relationship

• Carroll Community College (Maryland), Rose Mince, president
• Mt. Hood Community College (Oregon), Lisa Skari, president
• Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (North Carolina), Carol Spalding, president

Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership

• Dallas College (Texas) and PepsiCo Foundation
• Hudson County Community College (New Jersey) and Hudson County Department of Family Services and Reintegration
• Rock Valley College (Illinois) and AAR
• Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (North Carolina) and Martin Marietta
• Suffolk County Community College (New York) and Northwell Health

Faculty Innovation

• Azhar Mahmood, associate professor of chemistry and coordinator of the construction management program, Hudson County Community College (New Jersey)
• Elizabeth Peters, professor of electronics technology and pre-engineering Yavapai Community College (Arizona)
• Diego Tibaquirá, professor of computer science, Miami Dade College (Florida)

Student Success

• Montgomery College (Maryland), Jermaine F. Williams, president
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mary S. Graham, president
• Northern Virginia Community College, Anne Kress, president

Rising Star, Manager

• Rosa Lopez, dean of students, College of Southern Idaho
• Kollin Napier, director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
• Jennifer Valcarcel, associate dean of career and transfer, Hudson County Community College (New Jersey)

Rising Star, Executive

• Laura Ellsworth, associate vice president for curriculum, program and regulations, Prince George’s Community College (Maryland)
• Michelle Tufau, vice president for strategic enrollment and student engagement, Quinsigamond Community College (Massachusetts)
• Isaac Zuniga, executive vice president of academic and student success, Richland Community College (Illinois)

Faculty Member of the Year

• Kwabena Konadu, discipline chair, cybersecurity, Northern Virginia Community College
• Kathleen Randall, education professor, Waubonsee Community College (Illinois)

CEO of the Year

• Joe Gilgour, Mineral Area College (Missouri)
• Mary S. Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
• Todd Holcomb, Hawkeye Community College (Iowa)
• Clyne Namuo, Joliet Junior College (Illinois)

For more information about AACC, visit AACC.nche.edu.