The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual Regional Awards for community college trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff members. The 2024 ACCT Awards program is sponsored by ACCT Corporate Council member Edamerica.
ACCT’s Regional Awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities.
“Community colleges serve countless needs throughout the country, from traditional higher education to workforce development, professional certifications, and much more,” said ACCT Chair and Hawkeye Community College Trustee Jay Nardini. “The individuals and institutions selected to receive this important recognition are deeply committed to their communities and regions. They work every day to change lives for the better.”
“Countless unheralded heroes work tirelessly at ACCT’s member colleges,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s most outstanding public servants and professionals through our regional awards program.”
The full list of awardees follows.
2024 ACCT Regional Awardees
2024 Trustee Leadership Award
CENTRAL REGION
Joseph P. Murphy
Moraine Valley Community College, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Mary M. Zimmerman
Union College of Union County New Jersey, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Judy Chen Haggerty, Esq.
Mt. San Antonio College, Calif.
SOUTHERN REGION
Caridad Lee
Santa Fe College, Fla.
WESTERN REGION
Dirk Petersen
Northeast Community College, Neb.
2024 Equity Award
CENTRAL REGION
Joliet Junior College, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Dutchess Community College, N.Y.
PACIFIC REGION
Pierce College, Wash.
SOUTHERN REGION
Forsyth Technical Community College, N.C.
2024 Chief Executive Officer Award
CENTRAL REGION
Dr. Shelly Mondeik
Mid-State Technical College, Wisc.
NORTHEAST REGION
Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner
Mohawk Valley Community College, N.Y.
PACIFIC REGION
Dr. James Dale (J.D.) Rottweiler
Cochise College, Ariz.
SOUTHERN REGION
Dr. Anne M. Kress
Northern Virginia Community College, Va.
WESTERN REGION
Dr. Christy Ponce
Temple College, Texas
2024 Faculty Member Award
CENTRAL REGION
Dr. John Sands
Moraine Valley Community College, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Dr. Michele L. Rotunda
Union College of Union County New Jersey, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Dr. Tyler Wallace
Big Bend Community College, Wash.
SOUTHERN REGION
Lynn Rickabaugh
Aiken Technical College, S.C.
WESTERN REGION
Dr. Bryan Edward Stone
Del Mar College, Texas
2024 Professional Board Staff Member Award
CENTRAL REGION
Diane Kerruish
Elgin Community College, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Maria Ferrara
Bergen Community College, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Renee Gallegos
Rio Hondo College, Calif.
SOUTHERN REGION
Elle Perkins King
Davidson-Davie Community College, N.C.
WESTERN REGION
Perla Molina
Dallas College, Texas
Regional ACCT Awards were announced, one category per day, last week via ACCT's Twitter/X, LinkedIn and ACCT Connect accounts.
Individuals and colleges recognized at the regional level will contend for the national-level recognition of the following ACCT Association Awards:
- 2024 M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award;
- 2024 Charles Kennedy Equity Award;
- 2024 Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Award;
- 2024 William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award; and
- 2024 ACCT Professional Board Staff Member Award.
One outstanding award recipient in each category will be announced during the Annual ACCT Awards Gala on October 25, in Seattle, Washington, in conjunction with the 2024 ACCT Leadership Congress.