The college’s Presidential Recognition Award recipient was honored at the West Shore Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Feb. 17. The Presidential Recognition Award recognizes individuals for exemplifying the vision and mission of the college as displayed by significant or innovative impact in instruction, service to students, service to the college, and/or exceptional service to the community.
For this award, the recipient or recipients receive an internal grant from the WSCC Foundation which may be expended on WSCC allowable expenses. Examples include, but are not limited to, professional development, books or subscriptions, office or workplace materials or equipment, supplies or equipment for their own or another department, and student support, awards, or scholarships.
The grants are funded by President Scott Ward and his wife Laura. “We started this award in 2021 as way to honor individual accomplishments of employees. Our hope that these awards will provide inspiration and further the good works of the honorees,” stated President Ward.
This year’s recipient is Early Childhood Education Professor Lisa Morley. She was awarded a $1000 grant.
Morley has done extensive work in the early childhood education field, achieving accreditation for WSCC’s program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), as well as developing several partnerships to bring a local ECE summit allowing providers to achieve their continuing education hours while collaborating with others. Most recently, NAEYC acknowledged Morley for her service as a peer review team chair accrediting other programs across the nation.
“I always say that the word ‘community’ is the heart of our college’s name. Lisa exemplifies this every day through her dedication and energy. The college is privileged to offer these services, thanks to the incredible work Lisa is doing,” said Ward.
The college’s ECE program currently offers a child development national credential (CDA), a one-year certificate in early childhood education, and an associate of applied arts and science degree. The college also offers a “3 plus 1” program in partnership with Ferris State University which allows students to complete a bachelor of ECE degree on the WSCC campus. The degree encompasses three years of WSCC classes followed by one year of Ferris classes.