2023 AACC Faculty Member of the Year: Dr. Amy Powers
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) presented Waubonsee Community College Professor of History Dr. Amy Powers with the 2023 Faculty Member of the Year Award at its annual conference in April.
Waubonsee students are some of the most dedicated and hard-working people I have met. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of history with them and watch their skills of inquiry come alive.”
– Dr. Amy Powers
Dr. Powers has served as a full-time History faculty member at Waubonsee since 2003. As a national model of inclusion and student success, Dr. Powers’ course, American History to 1865, was selected to be used for peer review training nationwide by Quality Matters (QM), an organization whose mission is to "promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning."
Dr. Powers is actively involved with "History Gateways," a joint initiative of the American Historical Association and the John N. Gardner Institute from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. "History Gateways" aims to evaluate and substantially revise introductory history courses to better serve students from all backgrounds. Dr. Powers validates each student's strengths by redesigning her courses so students can see their own histories in the historical narrative. She has presented her work on promoting inclusive teaching practices and equitable learning in the classroom at several national and state-level conferences.
2023 Illinois Community College Trustee Association Professional Board Staff Member: Mary Baccheschi
Ten years ago, Mary Baccheschi, Executive Administrative Coordinator to the President/Clerk of the Board, used to drive past Waubonsee's Sugar Grove Campus and admire the tall trees that lined the campus, never knowing she would one day play an integral role in the college’s board operations and governance. On June 2, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) recognized her exemplary professional service to an Illinois community college board at the ICCTA Awards Banquet.
I enjoy working with a board and President that are so professional, caring, and passionate about Waubonsee.”
– Mary Baccheschi
Within her role, Baccheschi has worked alongside President Emeritus, Dr. Christine Sobek, the college’s longest-serving President (who retired in January 2023 after 21 years as President), as well as some of the college’s longest-serving board members, including current Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Oliver (who has been serving for 26 years), the late Richard “Shorty” W. Dickson, Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus (who served for a total of 45 years), Trustee Emeritus James K. Michels, P.E. (who served continuously for 36 years), and the late Dr. Richard Bodie (who served for 21 years). Baccheschi describes the Waubonsee Board of Trustees as an amazing group of professionals that she admires for their outstanding teamwork and cohesiveness.
ICCTA supports all Illinois public community college trustees through information exchange, training, and advocacy to assist them in effective leadership locally and statewide.
Honoring Waubonsee’s Strong Leadership and National Influence and Impact
Waubonsee Community College takes pride in having strong leaders for over half a century. One such leader is President Emeritus Dr. Christine J. Sobek, who retired on January 4, 2023, after serving the college for 33 years. Dr. Sobek was the President of Waubonsee for more than 21 years and had a total of 44 years of service to Illinois community colleges. Thanks to her vision and leadership, the college has expanded locally and regionally, with four permanent campuses spread across the 624-square-mile college district.
Leading up to her retirement, President Emeritus Sobek received numerous national, state, and local recognitions for her contributions to the college.
- State Representative Wheeler thanked Dr. Sobek for her transformational leadership and the countless lives she has impacted. Illinois State Representative Keith R. Wheeler, of the 50th district, recognized President Emeritus Dr. Christine Sobek with a special House Resolution 921. The Resolution congratulated Dr. Sobek on her retirement; commends her dedication, service, and enormous contributions as the past president of Waubonsee Community College.
- Dr. Sobek received a Proclamation from several local chambers expressing appreciation for her many contributions and recognizing her upcoming retirement.
- Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes, 42ndDistrict, presented an Illinois State Senate Certificate of Recognition to honor Dr. Sobek for the dedication she has displayed for over 40 years and for serving as the fourth president at Waubonsee. The recognition calls for commemorating her successful career and extends wishes for a happy retirement.
- The Alliance for Innovation and Transformation (AFIT) recognized Dr. Christine J. Sobek, President of Waubonsee Community College, with the John J. Politi Legacy Award at their recent annual Summer Institute.
Faculty and Staff Excelling Nationally and Locally
As a higher education institution, we are committed to achieving organizational excellence. We take pride in the exceptional faculty and staff we have. As a member of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence, we have the opportunity to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve their campuses. Over 30,000 people have received this honor so far, and we're pleased to announce that the following individuals from Waubonsee have been recognized for the past academic year:
- Gary Clark, Professor of English
- Denise Nakaji, Professor of Massage Therapy
2023 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Dale P. Parnell Award: Denise Nakaji
Since 1999, Nakaji has served as a full-time instructor in Waubonsee’s Massage Therapy Program. In this role, Nakaji serves as a solo faculty member and oversees the program’s outcomes and success so students can be fully prepared for a bright career outlook in the massage profession.
As a committed educator and practitioner, Nakaji has taken over 2,000 contact hours of coursework and continuing education to enhance her massage therapy skills, knowledge of curriculum subject matter, teaching skills, and communication skills. Nakaji is actively involved with colleagues in the field through professional committees and meetings. She has attended meetings regarding the Illinois State House Bill 2271-Massage Licensing Act and regularly attends Illinois Community College Massage Educators bi-annual meetings. She also serves on many cross-functional college committees.
Nakaji is a Licensed Massage Therapist and received her board certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She holds a Master of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Biomechanics from Northern Illinois University; a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University (Summa Cum Laude); and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California Davis.
2023 Outstanding Faculty Member: Dr. Sheela Vemu
At the beginning of each semester at Waubonsee, Dr. Vemu begins her biology classes by sharing a borrowed slogan from the Local Chicago Council on Science and Technology, "Science is for everyone." She does this because this idea perfectly highlights the importance of diversifying the future STEM workforce of America. It also creates a welcoming space for those curious about STEM but who may feel discouraged because they have yet to see diverse representation in the field.
Dr. Vemu has served Waubonsee as a full-time Biology instructor since 2013. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Pharmacology and Molecular Biology from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Vemu's ancestors are from southern India, and their roots extend throughout the region. While studying in Southeast Asia, Dr. Vemu became interested in antibiotics and ethnopharmacology. As an immigrant graduate student in STEM, Dr. Vemu experienced self-doubt and frustration. This experience motivated her to design an inclusive and student-centered approach to teaching. She incorporates team-based learning and authentic scientific experiences both in and out of the classroom.
I feel it is very important to create an environment where my students feel safe and secure enough to engage with their peers in asking scientific questions.”
- Dr. Sheela Vemu
Dr. Vemu consistently demonstrates her commitment to student success by creating an inclusive learning environment in lab and lecture courses at the college. One of the most important inclusive teaching practices Dr. Vemu incorporates is building mentor-mentee relationships with her students. She wants students to think beyond her classroom and creates opportunities by bringing in subject matter experts across various fields and disciplines.
In addition to the tremendous time and dedication Dr. Vemu offers her students, she also dedicates time and expertise to curriculum development. She has worked with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Mentor Links grant designed to develop technician training programs in STEM fields. Dr. Vemu has also collaborated with colleagues to enhance and update the existing curriculum.
2023 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Evelyn Cassano
Evelyn Cassano has served as an Adjunct Faculty in Waubonsee’s Adult Education Program since 2019. Her journey as a traditional student, transfer student, graduate student, and an adult learner later in life, combined with her traditional Puerto Rican upbringing, has informed her approach, method, and sensitivity in the classroom.
My students [at Waubonsee] come from Honduras, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, and Ukraine. Teaching them is very rewarding because it broadens my own cultural understanding.”
- Evelyn Cassano
Cassano never hesitates to share her ideas, assist new and experienced teachers, and enjoys learning new ideas from others. She has received training to earn an ESL Standards Proficient Instructor Certificate and is working towards an Illinois Community College Board ESL Specialist Credential Certificate. She was one of 30 teachers in Illinois to become a member of the Illinois Digital Learning Lab, which supports adult educators in incorporating learning technology into the classroom.
Cassano recognizes that every learner is unique and comes from a different cultural and linguistic background. She routinely uses the results of an English language and literacy skills assessment to differentiate her teaching strategies to better address her students' specific learning needs. She is intentional about creating a classroom environment that is safe, inclusive, and one that promotes understanding and respect.
2023 Dr. Christine J. Sobek Outstanding Administrator: Jessica Moreno
The Dr. Christine J. Sobek Outstanding Administrator Award was established by the Board of Trustees to recognize and honor President Emeritus Dr. Christine J. Sobek upon her retirement, for her commitment, dedication, and many years of distinguished service as President of Waubonsee Community College. It recognizes the outstanding leadership of a Waubonsee Community College administrator who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to living out and leading others to live out the college’s vision and mission, as well as an approach to leadership that is truly transformational. This award also acknowledges a leader who demonstrates a strategic focus in decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and implementation of change. This year’s award recipient is Jessica Moreno, Dean for Academic Support.
I am proud to be the first to receive this award and represent Latino perspectives within educational leadership.”
– Jessica Moreno
Serving as Waubonsee's Dean for Academic Support, Moreno has provided leadership to full-time and part-time faculty in the areas of College Success and Developmental Math and English. In her role, Moreno oversees Tutoring and Academic Support, including initiatives such as Academic Coaches, Online Navigators, and specialized programs like Waubonsee's Quick Path and SmarterMeasure. Moreno has a strategic focus marked by excellence in decision-making, conflict resolution, and implementation of change. Under Moreno's leadership, the college launched the MyMaterials initiative, which resulted in significant savings for students by providing them with affordable textbooks and course materials.
Moreno's parents came to the U.S. from Mexico more than 40 years ago in search of the American dream. Moreno acknowledges that her awards, accolades, and titles are not hers alone but belong to her family and community.
As a first-generation college student, Moreno navigated her college experience without guidance or mentorship. She felt her college years were haphazardly pieced together, and she had to stumble across information from her peers. Moreno recalls an instance where she almost missed applying to participate in commencement, which was one of many reasons that drove her to pursue a higher education career.
Support Staff Awards
Excellence in Service and Quality Award Winners:
Debra “Deb” Chan, Library Technology Specialist
Chan exemplifies excellence in service and quality as a student-facing employee. Her official title is Library Technology Specialist, but at the Fox Valley campus she is the go-to person for anything library and technology for students, faculty, and staff. Chan connects with the students and makes the library inviting and engages students.
She takes the time to create activities and bulletin boards that invite learning and exploration in a wide range of topics. She has activities available to help with stress and relaxation, which is so important to the students. In addition to being a support for students she also assists faculty with preparing print jobs and is a class Navigator. Chan is very generous in sharing her knowledge of student technology, such as the process for equipment rentals for students and navigating Canvas.
Ronald Rithaler, Advanced Manufacturing Lab Coordinator
Rithaler always has a great attitude and wants to help out whenever he can, not just with the programs he was hired to help with but with anyone who needs his help. He provided significant support to the Automotive Technology faculty and students when the area had a staffing vacancy. In addition to the support he provided, the students appreciated his friendly personality and kindness he showed while in their tool room. It is not uncommon to find Rithaler sweeping up metal shavings in the cutting room to keep them from tracking into the hallway, swinging by a classroom to tighten legs on wobbly chairs and repairing a broken light and move along to the HVAC lab to identify hazards. Rithaler then will rush back to his computer to document and address them in collaboration with colleagues and research quotes for equipment repairs and purchases.
Rithaler was very helpful in assisting the department to update the capital equipment inventory list. As the Business, Technology, and Workforce Education division has numerous lab classrooms at the Sugar Grove and Plano Campuses, this was no small task.
Excellence in Innovation and Creativity
Mary “Ellen” Rogers, Bookstore Technology Coordinator
Rogers excels at problem solving and coming up with innovative solutions to problems that arise. When our point-of-sale system failed to deliver mobile devices as promised she was able to work with the college’s payment processor to get mobile devices in time for Commencement. Rogers has worked diligently to create and perfect the cap and gown ordering form on our website.
Rogers works well with others and created a commencement form that helps students select the time of the ceremony they want to walk in, the size of their cap and gown, and pay for any additional tassels or stoles on the Bookstore website. She created it from scratch and ensures that correct instructions for graduates appear on our website. She spearheaded our initiative to sell merchandise at basketball games and assist Athletics with credit card purchases for concessions. Parents and fans at the games have appreciated being able to buy shirts, hats, and other items with Waubonsee on them and she has strengthened the partnership between the Bookstore and Athletics. Rogers develops new processes leading to more sales through the Bookstore (and thus more money for Waubonsee); builds connections with other departments and students; finds a way to make things work with imperfect technology; and removes obstacles for Bookstore employees, students, and staff.
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Marleigha Evans, Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Dr. Evans job position directly supports diversity and inclusion, but she always goes above and beyond to connect with everyone she encounters at work. In nearly all of her work, she takes steps to provide or support learning opportunities aimed at serving under-represented populations. Some of the words to describe her are passionate, empathetic, approachable, team player, and, most of all, collaborative. She collaborates extensively with others in planning DEI programming, gathering different views and ideas.
Dr. Evans invites discussion and values opinions and experiences that are different from her own or from the group. She is brilliant, kind, and caring. She makes everyone feel valued: at the beginning of meetings, she ‘checks in’ with everyone to find out if everyone is well; if they are not so, she offers help. Dr. Evans has gone out of her way to create different employee [affinity] groups and includes a variety of people. She is an amazing coworker and really a champion for not only diversity and inclusion but for fostering a welcoming, fun, and creative community overall.
