February 2, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Oracion, College Development Director, 575-624-7403
ENMU-ROSWELL INSTRUCTORS CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL HONOR
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is proud to announce its recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards. The 2023 honorees include Dusty Baker, Academic Director of Technical Education and Welding Program Director and Instructor and Tory Norris, Nursing Instructor.
NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. The response to that ceremony was so positive that NISOD began what has become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff.
Baker has worked at ENMU-Roswell for 13.5 years as a full-time faculty member. Prior to his full-time status, he taught as an adjunct instructor for 5 years. Baker has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology from ENMU-Roswell and he is a Certified Welding Inspector/Certified Welding Educator under the American Welding Society standards. Baker is also a Certified Lincoln Electric Educational Partnership School (LEEPS) Instructor.
“I would like to thank my peers for nominating me for this award,” said Baker. “I have nominated others for this award over the years and it felt great to give them the opportunity to be celebrated for their hard work and achievements. I greatly appreciate the nominations.”
Baker said he likes to see people grow. “When you meet a student, fresh out of high school, and watch them grow and learn all the way to college graduation, it is a humbling and proud moment that keeps me coming back every day. Now, being a Director for a few years, I have the chance to communicate better with administration and faculty to form better relations and create an overall better learning environment for our students.”
Norris joined the ENMU-Roswell Nursing faculty in November of 2021. She is a Registered Nurse and received her Associate of Science degree in Nursing from ENMU-Roswell. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Master of Science degree in Nursing with an emphasis in Leadership in Healthcare Organizations from Grand Canyon University. She is a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).
“As a nurse, my goal has always been to provide care in such a way that I am able to positively impact my patients’ situation, day, or life,” said Norris. “As a nurse educator, I am able to teach students how to provide care that is similarly impactful to their patients’ life. I find great satisfaction in the fact that the future nurses I teach will each go on to positively touch so many lives throughout their nursing careers.”
Norris said she is incredibly honored to receive this award. “I know that there are so many wonderful faculty members here at ENMU-Roswell, and to be selected to receive this award is a true honor. I deeply appreciate those that nominated and selected me to receive this recognition.”
Baker, Norris and all Excellence Award recipients will be recognized during NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 27-30, 2023 in Austin, TX. Excellence Awards recipients receive a specially cast, pewter medallion hung on a burnt-orange ribbon. The names, titles, and colleges of all Excellence Award recipients are included in a special booklet that features congratulatory ads from many of the recipients’ colleges. In addition, presentations at the conference involving Excellence Award recipients are indicated in the Conference Program with a special icon.
“Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “The extraordinary work of these men and women includes not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.”
About NISOD
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. NISOD provides budget-friendly, high-quality, and faculty-focused programs and resources for community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars. For over 40 years, NISOD has aligned a wide array of benefits with the needs of our members, which explains why the American Association of Community Colleges named NISOD, “The country’s leading provider of professional development for community college faculty, staff, and administrators.” For more information about NISOD, visit www.nisod.org.
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