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By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Rio Salado College continues its reputation for academic success. Four college faculty members are being recognized for their academic excellence and dedication to student success. Faculty chairs Dr. Lily Davidov, Karen Docherty, Angela Kwan and Dr. Wanda Tucker have recently received honors from two professional organizations.
Dr. Lily Davidov, Faculty Chair of Accounting and Small Business, and Karen Docherty, Faculty Co-Chair of Library Services, are the recipients of the 2023 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award. The award recognized educators who demonstrate outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. Their award will be presented at NISOD’s annual conference in May.
“I love working with students inside and outside of the classroom,” said Davidov. “My passion is to inspire students to believe in themselves, cultivate their strengths, and solidify their abilities to do amazing things. It is my honor to receive this award and the recognition, but more importantly, it is a big part of my American dream. Being an immigrant who came to the USA as a refugee, I now can add my expertise to advocate for students and collaborate with colleagues to support Rio Salado’s mission to empower learners everywhere through innovative education.”
“Serving the students, faculty, and staff of Rio Salado College is my joy,” said Docherty. “Whether in my capacity as co-chair of the Rio Library and connecting students with resources, serving as faculty senate president-elect to represent our faculty body, or as an employee of Rio Salado College advancing the work of the organization, each day I look forward to working with dynamite and innovative colleagues to make Rio a great place to learn for our students.”
Angela Kwan, Faculty Chair of Administration of Justice and Paralegal, has received the 2023 American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty designation. The designation is named in honor of the former president and CEO of the AACC and recognizes faculty who demonstrate passion for the students and the classroom and who go above and beyond what is required to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors.
Kwan said, “I am highly honored to receive the AACC Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award. This award recognizes individuals making a difference in the classroom; however, I cannot take sole credit for this. I want to thank everyone that helps students meet their educational goals – from our instructional design team, library services, student services, college support services, and most importantly, our dedicated instructors.”
Dr. Wanda Tucker, Faculty Chair of Philosophy and Religion and Interim Faculty Chair of Allied Health, is a finalist for the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Awards of Excellence - Faculty of the Year. Awards recognize individuals who have excelled in their fields and who have given back to their communities. Winners will be announced at the association’s annual conference on April 3, 2023.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be nominated by Rio Salado College as Faculty of the Year with the American Association of Community Colleges,” Tucker said. “There are so many faculty members doing awesome work for our students. Being recognized as one of four award finalists is one of the most prestigious honors of my life. Thank you, Rio, for believing in me.”