ANNUAL REPORT
2014-2015
Student Excellence
The Dwight O. Ryan Student Achievement Awards are presented annually to the most outstanding student in each degree-awarding division. Winners are selected for academic achievement, attitude, motivation, participation in and outside the classroom, contributions to benefit the program, and involvement in student organizations. Congratulations, students!
Korey Butler
Korey is a 2014-15 Student Ambassador
who is actively engaged in the campus
community. She is Publicity Secretary for
Phi Theta Kappa, a member of the
Disciplinary Review Grievance Committee,
and a Big Buddy Volunteer. Korey is also a
mother of two. She has a 3.83 GPA and
plans to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill to earn a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications.
STUDENTS
Dwight O. Ryan Student Achievement Awards
Megan Dew
Mathematics and Sciences
Suzanne Leone
Applied Engineering and Technologies
Korey Butler
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Heather Therien
Business and Public Services Technologies
Ismael Soki
Health Sciences
Adelin Ramos (not pictured)
Computer Technologies
Excellence in Teaching
Wake Tech professors and instructors are a diverse group with a common goal: student success. All our faculty members are dedicated to helping students experience the joy of learning and prepare for a rewarding future. Each year, Excellence Awards are given to faculty in each division whose innovative thinking and unwavering dedication truly stand out. From this exemplary group, one is chosen as Faculty Member of the Year.
Jason Whitehead
Instructor, Natural Sciences – Chemistry
Jason Whitehead is a chemistry instructor
in the Department of Natural Sciences and
also Director of the Wake Tech Honors
Program on Main Campus. In his time at
Wake Tech, he has developed the
CheMOOC to help students prepare for
college chemistry, worked to improve the Honors Program, and pushed grants forward to develop his technical and teaching skills (and those of colleagues) through professional development. His teaching focuses on the use of video and technology in seated, online, and MOOC environments, with the goal of making chemistry approachable and relatable to everyday life.
FACULTY
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Tonya Greene
Associate Professor; Director, First Year Academy
Phillip Jefferson
Instructional Program Director, Architectural Technology
Kate Kiec
Associate Professor, Spanish
Denise Barton
Professor, Business Administration
Lara Sheppa
Associate Professor, Nursing
Susan Engel
Instructor, Medical Office Administration
Jason Whitehead
Instructor, Chemistry; Director, Honors Program
Excellence in Service
Wake Tech staff members bring an impressive array of talents to the task of keeping our multi-campus college running smoothly. Staff in every department and division work together to make this a thriving college community. Excellence in Service Awards are given each year to outstanding staff members whose efforts inspire us all – and one from that group is chosen for the special distinction of Staff Member of the Year.
Dr. John Boone
Dean, Institutional
Effectiveness, Accreditation
and Research
John Boone has worked in Institutional
Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Research
since 1997. Previously, he worked in the
Evening Division (Continuing Education
Services) and the Learning Resource
Division (ILC and Audiovisual Department).
John has been instrumental in transforming several college processes from paper to electronic systems (Weave Online; Survey and Research Requests; Storage of SACSCOC reports). As the college’s accreditation liaison, John led the recent reaffirmation process of SACSCOC reaccreditation, in which Wake Tech received “no recommendations” for improvement from the SACS committee (October 2014) – an “extremely rare” accomplishment, according to SACS. John is currently president of the NC Community College Planners and Research Organization, a position he has held since 2013.
STAFF
Excellence in Service Awards
Rhonda Thomason
Assistant to the Dean, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
BJ Edwards
Business Services Project Manager
Connie Zimmerman
Assistant to the Dean, Computer Technologies
Michelle Ford
Secretary, Nursing
Angela Spivey
Human Resources Analyst
John Boone
Dean, Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation & Research
Clay Hines
General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Services
Gina Beaudry
Assistant Registrar, Audit and Compliance
* Jason Whitehead and John Boone will represent Wake Tech at the statewide NCCCS Excellence Competition in 2016.
Community Partners
Wake Tech is all about partnerships! It takes teamwork of the highest order to provide education, workforce training, lifelong learning resources, and opportunities for our region’s diverse citizenry to continue to grow professionally and stay ahead of changing technologies and trends. These local companies have made outstanding contributions in support of Wake Tech’s mission.
Corporate Benefactor of the Year: ABB
ABB has gone above and beyond, investing more than $155,000 in Wake Tech’s Electronics Engineering and Electrical Systems Technology departments. The company has also provided extremely valuable co-op opportunities and employment to Wake Tech students.
Individual Spirit of Giving Award: Mike Desmond
Mike has been a member of the Wake Tech Foundation Board of Directors since 2009. In addition to his time and expertise, he has given generously to the college, making numerous personal contributions and helping to secure many others. Mike’s support has provided more than 70 student scholarships, multiple vehicle donations, and co-op and employment opportunities for students in Wake Tech’s Automotive program.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Judge Paul Gessner
A 1985 graduate of Wake Tech’s Criminal Justice program, Judge Gessner went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate from law school. He served as a prosecutor and was elected to serve as a Wake County District Court Judge. Ten years later, he was elected to serve on North Carolina’s Superior Court, where he presides over jury trials in 34 counties.
Volunteer of the Year: Dorothy McKelvie
Dorothy has been volunteering in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes twice a week for more than five years, often making home visits and providing transportation. She was invaluable as students transitioned to the new Beltline Education Center.
