Ben Denn and Shannon Mechem were selected to be part of the Idaho Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Fellows program, which awards $5,000 for 10-week summer research experiences in research labs across the state.
Several journalism students and staff members of the student newspaper The Sentinel earned various national honors in 2010-2011. For the 10th consecutive year, the Sentinel won first place among two-year college newspapers at the annual College Media Advisers (CMA) national convention in New York City. The newspaper also earned Best of Show for two-year college newspapers at the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) national convention in Louisville, Ky. In addition, The Sentinel earned its third consecutive Pacemaker Award. Eli Francovich earned the national title of Reporter of the Year at the ACP national convention, placing first in the two-year schools division. Former journalism instructor and The Sentinel advisor of 26 years Nils Rosdahl won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ACP convention. The Sentinel also took home three national first-place awards in the two-year colleges division of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Awards including Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper.
NIC was honored as one of the inaugural recipients of the Leadership in Career Development Award by the Idaho Department of Labor and the Idaho Career Information System. The award was given in recognition of NIC’s dedication to the education and career achievements of the students and community members served by the NIC Career Center.
Eight student members of Business Professionals of America (BPA) earned national honors at the annual National Leadership Conference, “Stand Out from the Crowd,” in Washington, D.C., in May. Award recipients included Cindy Kuhn, Danielle Lockwood, Ashley Chaffin, Melanie Orr, Victoria Day, Keifer Hofracker, Taylar McClure, and Colleen Orr.
Adult Basic Education/GED Director Rex Fairfield earned a national certification in adult education and literacy this year. After two years in the Leadership Excellence Academy’s intensive training program, Fairfield is now a certified manager in program improvement (CMPI). Idaho is one of only nine states in which adult educators have achieved this national certification.
Members of NIC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society of two-year colleges, earned several awards at the annual national convention and Greater Northwest Regional Conference. The chapter achieved the five-star level in the Five-Star Chapter Development Program, the highest level that a chapter can achieve. The chapter also received certificates of recognition for participating in the 2011 Hallmark Awards Program, the 2010 College Project, and the Honors in Action Project. The NIC Delta Kappa Chapter was presented the coveted 2010 Pinnacle Award as well as the Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award. Chapter Vice President Eric Pezley received the Distinguished Chapter Officer Award as well as the Joan Fedor Award of Distinction scholarship.
The TRIO Student Support Services program was selected to receive a federal grant that will allow it to continue to help students be successful in college. The $1.28 million grant (allocated at $255,505 a year) is expected to fund 100 percent of the program for five years.
