NISOD award

Brandon EverestNicole FewinsJustin GuillardScott PowellBecca RichardsonNicole SpeelmanAbout the Award

NMC is one of more than 700 community college members of NISOD, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. Affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, NISOD has made the teaching excellence awards to faculty at member institutions since 1991. Nominees are judged on criteria including commitment to learning, professionalism and relationships with both students and colleagues.

NMC’s 2024 and 2023 recipients are listed below, with highlights from their nomination or recipient statement.

2024 Recipients:

Brandon Everest, social sciences faculty member for 24 years and co-chair of NMC’s Experiential Learning Institute. His leadership roles reflect a commitment to promoting academic vitality, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

Nicole Fewins, business faculty member for 23 years. In response to a waiting list for her online classes, Fewins gave face-to-face students the option to attend online. She anticipates students’ needs before any issues even arise. She not only inspires her students but inspires her colleagues.

Justin Guillard, Educational Technologies staff member for eight years. Guillard endeavors to understand and troubleshoot specialty software and is responsive and easy to work with.

Scott Powell, Great Lakes Maritime Academy instructor for 22 years and 1998 GLMA alumnus. Recognized nationally for his expertise with respect to maritime education, Powell is presently pursuing a Ph.D himself.

2023 recipients:

Becca Richardson, math faculty member for 10 years and NMC alumna. “By showing (students) the value of hard work and persistence, I can make a difference in their academic success, as well as their future success,” Richardson said.

Nicole Speelman, chemistry faculty member for six years. “I hope to inspire my students to be amazed by the chemical world around them,” Speelman said.

“Teaching is at the heart of the NMC mission,” said President Nick Nissley. “We’re proud to recognize these outstanding educators alongside their peers from around the country.”