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College of The Albemarle had a lot to celebrate on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 as they attended “The Great Within the 58” North Carolina Community College’s Excellence Event held at the Jane S. McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The event honored academic achievement among community college students and the Faculty-,Staff Person-, President-, and Partners-of-the-Year recipients.

Robin D. Harris, Curriculum Nursing Instructor for COA received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the state. In her statement Robin said, “I am not special… I am just an example. I believe that it is in an understanding of that role that my greatest strength as a teacher emerges and is communicated to my students for them to consider for shaping their own decisions and lives. It is the presence that I project of myself to my students that sets the stage for the interaction that will occur between us, and eventually what I hope will be transmitted into them. From the moment I came into the nursing department at COA, my focus has been on the learning that needs to occur. In the past year, as lead curriculum instructor at COA’s nursing program, I have facilitated decisions and implementation of technology into the curriculum to promote change and continued advancement in this area. I am a firm believer in the concept that if the attention in the classroom and the program is focused on the learning – not the teacher and not the student – but the learning – then good things will happen to all involved in the end, and most importantly, learning will occur.”

Judy Williams, COA student at the Dare County Campus, received the Academic Excellence Award for the college. Judy stated, “For a student who was mocked, teased, and humiliated through my high school years, it is amazing that I even decided to continue my education past high school. I knew the only choice for me was College of The Albemarle. I am an active participant of the Student Government Association, a student ambassador, and I have traveled with staff and students and been treated like one of the team. College of The Albemarle has been a stepping stone for me as it has allowed me to transition from high school to college with absolute ease. I will graduate in May of 2010 with my Associates in Arts degree. I plan on furthering my education at Virginia Wesleyan College to major in accounting.”

Governor Bev Perdue issued a proclamation celebrating educational excellence at North Carolina’s community colleges. “North Carolina’s community colleges train the skilled workforce that continues
to bring new businesses to North Carolina,” says Governor Perdue. “They are vital to the state’s economy and provide dynamic partnerships through workforce development, small business centers, and eLearning.”

Dr. Scott Ralls, President of the NC Community College System stated, “North Carolina’s community colleges are experiencing growth like never before. But even though our faculty and staff continue to do more with fewer resources, time and time again they exemplify excellence through their instruction, service, and partnerships. This also is reflected in the academic success of our students. This week-long recognition by Governor Perdue acknowledges the exceptional talent that can be found at our community colleges year round.”

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