Outstanding Faculty and Staff Honored

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) presented outstanding faculty and staff awards to five deserving employees during a virtual ceremony held April 1.

Each year, members of the DSCC faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for the Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards. The recipients are chosen by a committee of past winners that represent various college departments. Community members and representatives from local organizations served as presenters and sponsors of each award.

The Outstanding Faculty Award, sponsored by Bill and Mary Adcock, was presented to Trenna Richardson of Millington, associate professor of nursing. Trenna has been a full-time nursing instructor at DSCC since 2013. Before this, she taught from 2007 to 2009 and then again from 2009 to 2012. She earned an Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Texarkana College in Texarkana, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree from American Sentinel University. Trenna has over 20 years of psychiatric nursing experience and has worked at Lakeside Behavioral Health Unit at Methodist University Hospital, and on the Behavioral Health Unit at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Memphis. Trenna is committed to social justice and has attended the Annual Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Conferences and Preconference Train-the-Trainer Institute for the past two years, and educated DSCC faculty and staff on these applications through sessions and workshops.

The Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, presented by David Hayes on behalf of Security Bank, was awarded to Bonnie Overland of Atoka, adjunct instructor. Bonnie has been employed at DSCC as an adjunct instructor of Learning Support Reading since 2019. In this role, she is responsible for curriculum and lesson planning; creating effective assessments; promoting student success; and participating in ongoing professional development to improve teaching strategies. She also serves as the schoolwide instructional facilitator for Crestview Elementary in the Tipton County School District. She is also head of the School District’s Title I Department, including the Response to Instruction and Intervention Program. Bonnie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education in 2003, and a master’s degree in school leadership and administration in 2009, both from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She also earned a Reading Specialist Endorsement from the University of Memphis in 2010 and has an additional 30 graduate hours in School Leadership.

The Ned Cherry Outstanding Maintenance Staff Member Award, presented by Neill Ross on behalf American Paper and Twine, was awarded to Shirley Armstrong of Halls. Shirley was nominated as an outstanding employee due to her meticulous care for the College and efficient task completion. It was noted that Shirley always performs her tasks with a happy heart and attitude and she always ensures everyone at the College is well taken care of. Supervisor Gary Box stated, “Shirley is a shining light here at DSCC.” The students tell me often how much they think of her. She looks for ways to keep us all comfortable and safe, and is constantly keeping our building clean and sanitized. She is always willing to reach out and help everyone around her and greets everyone with a warm smile.”

The Administrative Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Simmons Bank, was presented to Judy Stover of Obion, administrative assistant II for the president of the college. Judy was nominated as an outstanding administrative professional due to having a good work ethic and a caring and compassionate worker who makes sacrifices in her own life for the success and well-being of others. It was stated that Judy has a unique way of making students and colleagues feel special, while at the same time demanding a high level of accountability. Her supervisor, Vice President for the College Jan Reid-Bunch stated, “Judy is passionate, energetic, and has a deep desire to serve our faculty, staff and students at DSCC. She is one of the most determined, dedicated and reliable people I have ever encountered. She truly makes an impression that lasts a lifetime.”

The Outstanding Staff Award, presented by Sharon Davidson on behalf of First South Financial Credit Union, was awarded to Paul Rhodes of Dyersburg, director of information technology. Paul has been employed full-time at DSCC since 2010. He began his employment career at DSCC as an instructional support specialist until 2012. He then served as a network security analyst from 2012 until 2017, when he was appointed to his current position as director of information technology. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Technology from DSCC in 2009. Paul is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies-Information Technology from the University of Memphis with an expected graduation date of May 2021. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul led his team to provide remote technical support; prepare laptops for use by faculty, staff and students; and continued to provide regular network, server and phone support for the College. He successfully led the efforts to outfit and train employees on working remotely on a very short timeframe. He and his team installed technology in every classroom at all three DSCC locations to enable remote learning and instruction during the pandemic. His supervisor, Vice President for Technology Josh Duggin stated, “Paul’s performance and endurance during the pandemic has been nothing short of impressive as he and his team rarely missed a beat during the transition to online learning and remote work.” Additionally, Paul proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy for four years before his career at DSCC.

Each recipient was presented with an engraved plaque and a monetary award from their sponsor.