Student success is the top priority of Chattanooga State Community College. The 2018 Excellence Award winners all embody the same characteristics to ensure success: teamwork, integrity, productivity, and professionalism. Nominated by Chattanooga State colleagues, the Employee Excellence Award Selection Committee is chaired by a Chattanooga State Foundation Board member and includes two representatives each from the Faculty Senate, Professional Staff Association, and Support Staff Association. The Committee had the challenging task of selecting a winner for five different categories: Teaching Excellence in Arts & Sciences, Excellence in Advising, Teaching Excellence in Technology, Professional Staff Excellence, and Support Staff Excellence.

Nominated for TCAT Excellence in Teaching by TCAT Dean Dr. Mike Ricketts, David Burgess is well known as an advocate for technical education. Since 2010, Burgess has established a standard of excellence, resulting in exceeded state-mandated benchmarks for program completion rates and graduation placements in the Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics program. In the last six years as a SkillsUSA advisor, Burgess’ students have won medals in both state and national award competitions. “David is an exemplary instructor in the TCAT. His knowledge of the subject matter, professionalism, classroom preparation, leadership and enthusiasm contribute to his ability to bring out the best in each of his students,” shared Ricketts.

David Wollert is no stranger to excellence. This year’s Arts & Sciences Teaching Excellence winner, he has twice been named as a Dr. Gladys Crates Fellow, is an extraordinary communicator, and is embraced by both colleagues and students alike. In a recent evaluation, one student shared, “I love Mr. Wollert’s class. I had him for Biology and I HAD to get him for Micro. He incorporates stories to help get a point across, and he uses hand motions and sound effects to solidify the info into our memories.” At a presentation during the fall 2017 National Association of Biology Teachers Conference in St. Louis, one evaluator said, “Your session was by far the best and most beneficial session I attended – you’ve put together a presentation that is like no other.” Wollert’s immediate supervisor, Dr. Karen Eastman, calls him “incredibly knowledgeable.” 

Dr. Michael McCamish is an associate professor of criminal justice in his sixth year at the college and the winner of this year’s Advising Excellence Award. Best known by students as accessible and compassionate, McCamish, is also making inroads as the chair of the Faculty Senate Advising Committee and co-chair of the Academic Maps Strategy Team within the College’s Focus on Completion (FOC) initiative. Pouring over stacks of articles on academic maps and milestone action plans, McCamish recently co-presented a prototype of the Academic Map and the ways it will be interactive on Chattanooga State’s website only to receive heartfelt applause from the FOC committee. “Many of us recognize how much of himself Michael has poured into the development of the Academic Maps,” stated Dr. Lindsay Holland, department head, “his exemplary work helps our campus best meet our students’ advising needs.”

With more than 30 years at Chattanooga State under her belt, Professional Staff Excellence winner Julie Bennett is described as “outstanding” in her efforts to serve the students and faculty at the Kimball site facility. A lifelong resident of Marion County, Julie has worn many hats at Chattanooga State, including student, but worn none so well as the one she wears now as Kimball Site director. Students know that Bennett is there for them, not only with words of encouragement, but with the nudge sometimes needed to keep them on track. A current student said Bennett made his experience at Chattanooga State “exceptional.” He went on to say that, “Since my first day of registration, she has been there to motivate me academically and encourage me to succeed.” Faculty and staff alike appreciate her leadership and strong sense of integrity.

As an “extremely knowledgeable and indispensable employee” according to her supervisor and colleagues, Antoinette Dobbs-Taylor was presented with the Support Staff Excellence Award. Having worked in several departments at Chattanooga State, Antoinette knows the campus, the faculty, staff and students. This knowledge has allowed her not only to assist others, but to explain Collegiate High to parents and students helping them decide if Collegiate High is their best fit. Says Collegiate High Principal Dr. Sonja Rich, “Through Antoinette’s interactions with students, she models the four major attributes of the W.E. Succeed Work Ethic First and the soft skills necessary for success in the modern workplace, and most importantly, for life.”

Employee Excellence Awards were presented recently during the inaugural 2018 Chatty Awards at Chattanooga State. Each of the five award recipients was presented a $500 check from the Chattanooga State Foundation during the new employee recognition event.