Professor Sheila Matthews wins MCCA Outstanding Faculty Award

KCC professor Sheila Matthews presents Erin Elliston with the award for Outstanding Human Services Program Graduate during the 2014 Awards Banquet.

Kellogg Community College Human Services professor Dr. Sheila Matthews has received the 2014 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Michigan Community College Association.

The Outstanding Faculty Award is presented each year to a Michigan community college faculty member based on his or her achievement in a teaching career, service to humanity, honors received and strong commitment to the purpose and philosophy of the community college mission, according to the MCCA. Matthews will receive her award during a ceremony July 25 at Grand Traverse Resort.

In addition to teaching at KCC, Matthews, who has worked at the College since February 1981, serves as the coordinator of the College’s Human Services Program. Dawn Larsen, who as chair of Social Science and Education at KCC oversees Matthews’ work, said Matthews has helped the Human Services Program at KCC grow over a 20-year period “from a fledgling to a starship program” that intentionally trains students to work with children, teens, veterans and the elderly in their communities in the areas of mental and social health.

“Over the last four years, the Human Services Program has more than doubled its size,” Larsen said. “The program’s reputation is outstanding and earns praises on a regular basis, and Dr. Matthews is well-respected for her work.”

In addition to the MCCA award, Matthews has been recognized for her professional work with honors including the following:

  • Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council (MODAC) Outstanding Occupational Education award from the State of Michigan, 1996
  • Who’s Who Among Teachers award, 1996
  • Ann Shafer Outstanding Community Participant award, 2011
  • Kellogg Community College Employee of the Semester award, January 2013

“Dr. Sheila Matthews contributes richly to society every day,” Larsen said. “Every year, KCC Human Services graduates support and influence people to develop personal management skills enabling them to better their lives personally, professionally, financially and ethically.”

KCC President Dr. Dennis Bona said Matthews’ recognition is an indication of the College’s commitment to providing high-quality education.

“Sheila’s consistent record of intentionally training her students to perfect the art of human service is certainly outstanding and worthy of recognition,” Bona said. “Our mission here at KCC is to enrich our community through education, and the Human Services Program, under the leadership of Sheila Matthews, embodies that philosophy to the fullest extent.”

Matthews is the second KCC employee to be honored by a state community college association in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Tom Shaw, director of Athletics and Physical Education at KCC, was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Athletic Director of the Year.

In the photo above, Matthews presents student Erin Elliston with the award for Outstanding Human Services Program Graduate during the 2014 Awards Banquet.

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