UAH-T announces staff, faculty awards
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana announced honors for outstanding staff member, faculty member and alumnus of the year Wednesday.
Receiving the Outstanding Staff Member of the Year honor was Shelia Jackson. Jackson has been employed at the college for fifteen years and currently serves as a library technical assistant.
According to her nomination letter, Jackson is there to help students at all costs.
The letter states that she goes out of her way to ensure students have the books and supplies they need to have a successful semester, and whether it is helping students rent textbooks or figure out how to get a student ID, she is always helpful.
The honor for Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year went to Melanie Dillard.
Dillard has been employed at the College for twelve years and currently serves as an academic skills and math instructor and as the distance learning coordinator.
According to her nomination letters, Melanie is diligent in her work as an instructor and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
It was also stated in the letters that Melanie is an active member of the Faculty Senate and is willing to do the things that need to be done to make UAHT great.
Lastly, Jimmy Courtney was awarded as the Outstanding Alum of the year.
Courtney graduated UAHT in 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and an Associate of Arts Degree.
Part of Courtney’s nomination letter states, “Jimmy has a record of commitment and service to UAHT. He supports every event or activity by the College and the Foundation. More importantly, because of his personal knowledge of our potential impact on students, Jimmy has been a longtime advocate for our campus in the region and Arkansas.”
Courtney has been employed at the City of Hope Police Department since 1998. He began his career working as a patrol officer before progressing through the ranks to become lieutenant of the Criminal Investigation Division.
He was appointed to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee by Governor Mike Beebe in 2007, on which he served for nine years. Locally, he currently serves as a member on the Hempstead and Nevada County Drug Court, board member of the Hempstead County United Way, president of Hope Kiwanis Club, board member of the Hope
School Board, member of the Hope Athletic Booster Club, athletic director of the Hope Wildcat Youth Football Association and a member of Unity Baptist Church of Hope.
“It is hard to know what to say exactly when recognized in a manner such as this,” Courtney said. “I am both honored and humbled to receive this distinguished award. I certainly thank UAHT and its staff for this recognition. I will always do my best to support UAHT, the City of Hope, and Hempstead County to be innovative, inclusive, and the best we can possibly be for the benefit of everyone.”