Faculty and staff from Virginia’s Community Colleges were spotlighted during the 2025 New Horizons Conference for their extraordinary efforts to promote student success both inside the classroom and in the community. The gathering’s awards celebration is always a much-anticipated conference highlight that recognizes full-time AND part-time contributors.
VCCS Chancelor Dr. David Doré and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Programs Dr. Felicia Ganther teamed up to present the awards.
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“Let’s be real—community college faculty and staff are a special breed. You teach students of all ages, from teens to retirees,” said emcee and Brightpoint Community College President Bill Feige. “You adapt to last-minute schedule changes and constant updates in technology that works most of the time. And you do it all with passion, resilience, and only mild caffeine dependency.”
Tidewater Community College psychology professor Dr. Andrea Palmisano received the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Describing the award, TCC Associate VP Jenefer Snyder noted, “Andrea has inspired countless students…As an immigrant to the U.S. she remembers how it feels to believe you do not belong, or to be hesitant with sharing your ideas. Therefore, she creates a classroom community where students can overcome these feelings and fulfill their goals with confidence.” Seen l. to r. Dr. Snyder, Dr. Palmisano, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré
Dr. Anne Allison, Professor of Biology and Director of Biotechnology at Piedmont Virginia Community College, received the 2025 Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence. Presenting the honor, PVCC’s VP for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development Leonda Keniston called Allison “a transformational educator, dedicated to the student learning and success, and an academic leader. Most importantly, her impact is evident in the hearts and lives of her students.” Seen l. to r. Dr. Jennifer Gentry, Exec. Dir. VFCCE, Dr. Keniston, Dr. Allison, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré.
A new recognition was conferred this year: the Chancellor’s Award for Student Services Excellence. The recipient, Allison Dooley, Virginia Western’s Recruitment Coordinator, was cited for consistently going above and beyond her regular duties to provide support and assistance to students. Explaining the award, VWCC’s Vice President of Student affairs Bernadette “Bern” Battle said “Her work has saved the college thousands, improved processes, and strengthened partnerships — but more than that, Allison leads with heart. She listens. She empowers. She believes.” Seen l. to r. Battle, VWCC President Robert Sandel, Dooley, Dr. Doré, Dr. Ganther.
The awards celebration also recognized outstanding instructors from among the roughly 4,600 adjunct faculty members who are so crucial to the VCCS mission. These awards are made possible in part by support from the George B. Vaughan Leadership Endowment Fund through the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.
Adjunct faculty members honored at New Horizons, pictured above l. to r. Joan Bryant/Dental Hygiene-Virginia Western, Dr. Edmund Potter/History-Piedmont Virginia, Cara Cammaroto/Voice-NOVA, Jesse Fortune/History-Rappahannock, and Katherine Earwood/Dental Assisting-Mountain Empire.
New Horizons Excellence in Education (EIE) Awards recognize VCCS college teams who have developed innovative programs to address community needs. The EIE awards this year honored extraordinary work in four categories, closely reflecting the four pillars of the VCCS Strategic Plan.
Reflecting the goal of Developing Virginia’s Talent, Hayleigh Bradbury, Eastern Shore Community College’s Career Services Coordinator, was honored for connecting exceptional numbers of students with meaningful career opportunities. Amy Shockley, ESCC Dir. of Student Services said, “Hayleigh—you are a force at ESCC, and your work, dedication and passion for those you serve every day is admirable.” Seen l. to. R. Shockley, Bradbury, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré.
In the category of Reaching More Virginians, Julie Olive was honored for her work as Prison Education Program Coordinator at Piedmont Virginia Community College. “Julie employs innovative practices and strategies that foster belonging and break down barriers, helping make higher education more accessible and welcoming for all Virginians,” said PVCC President Jean Runyon. Seen l. to r. Dr. Runyon, Olive, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré.
The 2025 Excellence in Education award for Educating Today’s Learners went to Dr. Hong Wang of Northern Virginia Community College. Prof. Wang
has led an online professional development program that prepared NOVA faculty to deliver top notch programs via hybrid courses. “Dr. Wang has built a powerful learning community and that has improved pedagogy across our college,” said Dr. Diane Mucci, Provost of NOVA’s Annandale Campus. “More than 947 faculty have completed the Hybrid Certification Course. Seen l. to r. Dr. Mucci, Dr. Wang, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré.
Piedmont Virginia Community College’s Student Resource Center was recognized with the Excellence in Education Award for Supporting Today’s Learners and helping to create a culture of care. Responding to growing levels of food insecurity, the center has organized “Boxes for Break” since 2019 to provide food and hygiene items for student families during Winter Break. The growing program has distributed about 1,200 boxes so far. PVCC was honored for showing “extraordinary commitment to building a compassionate and supportive educational environment.” Seen l. to r. PVCC President Dr. Jean Runyon, Dr. Leonda Keniston, VP for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development, Kelsey Waters and Shannon Meade of the PVCC Student Resource Center, Amanda Key, Dir. of Opportunity, Success and Achievement, Dr. Ganther, Dr. Doré.
You can view and download photos from this year’s VCCS New Horizons Conference.
The New Horizons Conference wishes to express its gratitude for the support of sponsors who helped to make the 2025 conference possible. You can see the full list of sponsors.
