Pasco-Hernando State College has selected its recipients of the 2023 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Awards. Professor Rene Brioso, information technology; Jessica Hinds, associate director of curriculum support and education preparation institute, assistant professor Frank Mancuso, emergency medical programs, and Professor David Ratisher, information technology, will join the ranks of past distinguished award recipients and be recognized during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 27-30 in Austin, Texas.

“I was surprised, honored and grateful to receive the NISOD award along with many other amazing faculty members. I believe it's important to recognize the efforts that individuals put into making a difference in students' lives and developing courses and programs because it helps to increase the morale and motivation to continue to do a good job and strive for excellence,” said Hinds.

NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. In 1989, in connection with the University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. The response to that ceremony was so positive that NISOD began what has become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff.

“PHSC continues the proud tradition of nominating outstanding faculty for the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award. Our nominees demonstrate a consistent focus on students through deep student engagement coupled with content knowledge and effective teaching acumen. These faculty join their deserving fellow award recipients and participate in numerous professional development opportunities on a national scale, which ultimately benefits the students and programs they serve,” said Stanley Giannet, Ph.D., PHSC Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer.

Excellence Awards recipients receive a specially cast pewter medallion hung on a burnt-orange ribbon. The names, titles, and colleges of all Excellence Award recipients are included in a special booklet that features congratulatory ads from many of the recipients’ colleges. In addition, presentations at the conference involving Excellence Award recipients are indicated in the Conference Program with a special icon.

“It helps to validate and recognize when our people are doing it right, and that college leaders are aware when it is happening,” said Ratisher.

Kelly McAdams, PhD., Associate Dean of Nursing, has also been selected to serve on the Proposal Review Committee for NISOD’s 2023 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence.

About NISOD

“Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “The extraordinary work of these men and women includes not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.”

The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. NISOD provides budget-friendly, high-quality, and faculty-focused programs and resources for community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars. For over 40 years, NISOD has aligned a wide array of benefits with the needs of our members, which explains why the American Association of Community Colleges named NISOD, “The country’s leading provider of professional development for community college faculty, staff, and administrators.”

“NISOD consistently provides exceptional, affordable opportunities for educators to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for success. Many PHSC professionals have benefitted from NISOD’s professional development programs over the years. Thank you, NISOD, for inspiring success in the classroom, for providing exemplary opportunities for educator advancement, and for supporting the advancement of higher education nationwide,” stated Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., PHSC president.