CLC names award winners for outstanding faculty, student essays and distinguished alumnus
Professors Michelle Proctor and Ribhi Salhi received, respectively, the 2017 College of Lake County Outstanding Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty of the Year awards. Both were chosen by a vote of CLC students, and the two were recognized at the April 11 meeting of the CLC Board of Trustees.
Dr. Proctor, a professor of education, has taught at CLC since 2005, focusing on introductory teaching, gender studies, diversity and reading. She said she believes in encouraging students' individual voices and experiences in a trusting learning environment. Proctor also has served on CLC's Diversity Commission and the African-American Success and Outreach Committee since 2014. She has been nominated several times for the college's Outstanding Faculty and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development award, both recognizing excellence in teaching.
Proctor holds a B.A. from American University, an M.Ed. From George Washington University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. At the 2017 commencement ceremonies on May 13, she will offer the faculty greeting to the graduating students.
Salhi, who received the same part-time faculty award in 2013, has been an adjunct political science instructor since 2007. He is a strong advocate of what he calls "student success first," his belief that teaching should support the success and scholarly potential of students. As an example, his students have presented their papers at political science conferences,
Salhi has developed curriculum modules on East Asia and Middle East politics and has offered a Middle East lecture series. He earned a B.A. in economics and business administration from the University of Jordan at Amman. Salhi also holds an M.A. in political science and government from Roosevelt University and an M.A. in comparative politics from Northern Illinois University. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy and administration at Walden University.
Both Salhi and Proctor serve as CLC's nominees for the statewide Illinois Community College Trustees Association's outstanding faculty awards. The recipients of the 2017 ICCTA awards will be announced at the organization's annual awards banquet on June 2 in Normal, Ill.
In addition to faculty, three CLC students won awards for the 2017 ICCTA Paul Simon Student Essay Contest. In 500 words or fewer, students wrote on the theme, "How My Community College Changed My Life." Alondra Aguilar, a nursing major from Vernon Hills, took first place. Recalling the campus atmosphere when she enrolled in fall 2015, Aguilar wrote: "I saw such a diverse atmosphere from people coming to socially interact, regardless of where you came from or what degree you were going for. CLC opened up opportunities both educationally and personally for me to continue an education close to home, giving the support I need." Aguilar received a $100 CLC gift card and a plaque, and her essay will be forwarded to the state contest. The state winner, to be announced June 2, will receive a $500 scholarship.
Felipe Vazquez Reyna, a Vernon Hills resident and second-place winner, received a $75 CLC gift card. Susan Jakubowski, a Park City resident who placed third, received a $50 CLC gift card. Each student read their essays at the April 11 Board of Trustees meeting.
The college's nominee for the 2017 ICCTA Distinguished Alumnus Award is Paul V. Diamond, president and chief executive officer of Lake Forest, Ill.-based Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation. Diamond earned a B.A. in business from the University of Illinois-Springfield and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
"CLC was very instrumental in helping me grow up, work hard, to always be committed to what you do, never say that it can't be done and to understand the difference that you can make," he said at the board meeting. "Thank you for this honor. I truly appreciate it."