News

CollegeNow Honors Excellence

April 29, 2009

DRYDEN, N.Y. — CollegeNow honored its participating teachers and professors in April with a banquet on the TC3 campus. Honors for excellence in providing service to area students were given in the TC3 Forum in front of a crowd of about 80 people associated with CollegeNow, the concurrent enrollment program at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Melissa LeVick of Groton High School was given the Distinguished Concurrent Enrollment Teacher Award. LeVick has taught concurrent enrollment English classes at Groton High School for 11 years. “She was nominated for the Distinguished Concurrent Enrollment Teacher award by two Groton colleagues, independently, her building prinicpal and a fellow faculty member. Some common themes emerged from these nominations. Melissa is a talented teacher whose ability to engage, challenge, support, and inspire her students is recognized by teachers and students alike,” said CollegeNow Director Karl Madeo.

Pamela Coombs of McGraw High School was given the Distinguished Tech Prep Teacher Award. She has been with the business department at McGraw for 19 years, transforming a fledgling program into one recognized for excellence and rigor. “Expectations matter, and Pam's students learn very quickly that she will hold them to the highest standards. Pam brings both the college experience and business world into her classroom through concurrent enrollment, field trips, and guest speakers,” said CollegeNow Associate Director Victoria Zeppelin. “To help her students recognize the importance of collaboration, her program partners with three other schools to offer annual seminars designed for and by students. Pam also advises an active FBLA chapter, providing students and opportunity to build leadership skills.”

Dr. James Jacob, professor and chair of the biotechnology program at Tompkins Cortland Community College, was recognized as the Distinguished Faculty Liaison. “Dr. James Jacob, head of the TC3 biotechnology program, came on board at the start and has taken his liaison role to new heights,” said Madeo.

“His reviews of new course proposals are always thorough, and his write-ups on site visits to see concurrent enrollment instructors are detailed, informative, and reveal the visionary thinking for which Dr. Jake is known.”

Steve Gillule of Tioga Central High School was given the CollegeNow Recognition Award for playing a key role in bringing concurrent enrollment opportunities to Tioga. “As of the spring of 2007, there were no TC3 concurrent enrollment courses at Tioga Central School,” said Madeo. “To be honest, when I received a call from the Tioga High School guidance counselor, Steve Gillule, I had to consult a map to see just where the school was located.”

“Now there are 12 concurrent enrollment classes offered to students at Tioga Central High School, and Steve remains our go-to-guy whenever we need information or help with anything relating to CE at Tioga.”

Jessica Bush of Tompkins Cortland Community College also was given a Special Appreciation recognition for her tireless work as an intern for CollegeNow. “But student worker does not do justice to Jess' role in our office,” said Madeo.

“She has taken on important tasks and projects connected to our program evaluation, served as the temp replacement while Rhonda was on maternity leave this winter, processing certificates of residency, registering CollegeNow Online students, communicating with school counselors, teachers, and principals. And Jess has carried it all out with maturity, good humor, a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.”