Nina Wiley, assistant vice president of student affairs, and Dr. Robert Derr, coordinator and associate professor of English for Clark State College, have been named 2022-23 Excellence Award recipients by The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).
Academic Officers at each SOCHE member institution submitted faculty members who demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship during 2022. Similarly, Human Resources Officers at each SOCHE member institution named staff members who demonstrated excellence in student success, service, and assessment throughout the past year.
“Dr. Robert Derr and Nina Wiley both exemplify the values of Clark State College,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “They work tirelessly to ensure that our students are successful, and they are deserving of this honor from SOCHE.”
Derr received the SOCHE Faculty Excellence Award for his commitment to student success, retention, and completion. He focuses on encouraging students, particularly those who most need support both in and out of the classroom, recognizing where students are on their educational journey. Dr. Derr is passionate about students and is actively involved in multiple campus-wide initiatives. He sees where action is needed and dives in headfirst to make a difference for students.
“It is a great honor to be selected for this award,” said Derr. “Receiving this award highlights the great work Clark State College is doing to increase the success of all of our students, and I am extremely proud to be part of those efforts.”
Wiley received the SOCHE Staff Excellence Award. Wiley is a true servant leader by empowering others around her to serve Clark State students efficiently and effectively, providing essential tools for success. She is first to step up and take charge of any new student-centered project. She is engaged in the Changing Campus Culture initiative and has accepted leadership for the Sexual Violence Prevention Team, Behavior Intervention Team, and the CARE Team, as well as being the co-advisor for Phi Theta Kappa.
“Being recognized by SOCHE and Clark State College is an honor,” said Wiley. “I am genuinely committed to serving students and our community through a trauma-informed lens. It is truly a blessing to work with such an inspiring and diverse population of students.”
SOCHE is the regional leader for higher collaboration, engaging with colleges, universities, and industry to transform the economy through the education and employment of nearly 200,000 students in Southwest Ohio. See more at www.soche.org