Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College is proud to announce its recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards. The 2024 honorees include Melanie Geoghagan, Practical Nursing Coordinator/Instructor, and Kontiki Smith, Patient Care Technician Coordinator and Practical Nursing Instructor.
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 a 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.
“I am very excited and honored to receive this award,” said Melanie Geoghagan. “Teaching nursing isn’t just about imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring the next generation of compassionate caregivers who will make a difference in the lives of patients. I am continually motivated by the dedication and passion of my students as they embark on their own journeys in healthcare.”
“Receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is a true testament to the support and encouragement I have received as an instructor. This award reaffirms my commitment to serving the students at NLTCC with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication. Thank you for recognizing my contributions and the impact it makes in the lives of our students and our community. I will continue to strive for excellence in educational leadership, said Kontiki Smith.
“These ladies are a model for instructional leadership in the nursing program and NLTCC. They truly set the bar for excellence,” said NLTCC’s Chancellor, Dr. Jayda Spillers. “Thank you for your dedication to your profession and sharing your knowledge and skills with students and faculty.”
Excellence Award recipients are recognized during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 25-28, 2024. 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.
“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.”
About NISOD
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) 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.” For more information about NISOD, visit www.nisod.org.