Four Blinn College District faculty and staff members received 2020 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards in recognition of their dedication to Blinn students.
Biology Professor Dr. Katherine Barker, Psychology Professor Barb Corbisier, Data Analyst Lillian Marshall, and Assistant Academic Dean and English Professor John Schaffer received medallions from NISOD to commemorate their achievements.
“These individuals embody Blinn’s commitment to its students and the community,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Their recognition highlights the role our faculty and staff play in creating an engaging and innovative academic environment, which has served to make Blinn one of the most highly regarded community colleges in Texas.”
NISOD is a membership organization that promotes and celebrates excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. First presented in 1989, NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.
Faculty, staff, students, and departmental supervisors initiated nominations based on character and integrity, effectiveness as instructors, involvement in student organizations and activities, service to Blinn, and participation in professional organizations and professional development activities. Final recipient selections were made by Blinn’s Professional Development Funding Committee.
Barker joined the Blinn faculty in 2015 as a Biology Instructor on the Brenham Campus. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in 2003, then earned her Master of Science in Neuroscience in 2006 and her doctorate in Neuroscience in 2009, both from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Science.
“As an educator, I believe it is essential to provide students of various backgrounds with knowledge that enables them to successfully pursue their chosen career and have a positive impact on society,” Barker said. “I strive to create a challenging yet rewarding learning environment that promotes student participation, self-reflection, critical thinking, and the integration of classroom learning into real-world scenarios.”
Corbisier began teaching in Blinn’s Psychology Program in 2008 on the Bryan Campus. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music in 1990, a Master of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University in 1995, a Master of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2007, and is pursuing a doctorate in education from Texas Tech University.
“In teaching, I have the opportunity to share my passion for this field with my students,” Corbisier said. “My classroom goals include not only teaching the basics of psychology, but also helping students develop critical thinking skills by encouraging them to ask questions and engage in the classroom dialogue.”
Marshall came to the Blinn-Brenham Campus in 2011 to work as a Server Technician and is now a Data Analyst for the College’s Institutional Research and Effectiveness/Strategic Initiatives Department. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University, Certified Public Manager Certification from Texas State University, and a Master of Business Administration in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.
“My work philosophy is centered around my core values of integrity, serving others, responsibility, and balance,” Marshall said. “I remain cognizant of the fact that my output is someone else’s input and this helps me to give my best at all times.”
Schaffer joined the Blinn faculty in 1992 and has taught English on the Bryan Campus for 28 years. In addition to teaching, he currently serves as Assistant Academic Dean for Blinn’s Division of Humanities. Schaffer earned his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1984 and Master of Arts in English in 1991, both from Texas A&M University.
“I believe that making connections among the many ideas that students are learning in my class and their other subjects should be an essential goal of education,” Schaffer said. “I hope that my students improve their ability to think critically and independently and increase their understanding of and appreciation for the incredible richness of thought and expression that they encounter in the world around them.”
Registration is now open for Blinn’s Fall 2020 semester. For application and registration information, visit www.blinn.edu/admissions. For information about the Back with Blinn plan to safely reopen campuses for the Fall 2020 semester, visit www.blinn.edu/back-with-blinn.
