Prairie State College (PSC) Associate Professor of Chemistry Christine Brooms (right) recently was honored as a recipient of the Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. She is congratulated by fellow PSC Associate Professor Melanie Eddins-Spencer.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS–(ENEWSPF)–June 18, 2015. Prairie State College (PSC) Associate Professor of Chemistry Christine Brooms recently was named one of the recipients of the Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA). The award was presented during the ICCTA Awards Luncheon earlier this month, and recognizes the high achievement of Illinois’ full-time community college instructors. This marks the first time a PSC faculty member has won the award.
Brooms was nominated for the honor by PSC President Dr. Terri L. Winfree, who said Brooms was one of the college’s most valuable faculty members.
Brooms has taught at PSC since 2007. Since coming to the college, she has accomplished many things both inside and outside the classroom. She currently serves as the chairperson for the Science Department at PSC and is the coordinator for the Chemistry Department.
She was a lead writer and science curriculum specialist of a $2.34 million Department of Education – Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) STEM grant. She also has served as an ambassador for the Chem Ed Bridges project, a National Science Foundation (NSF) – funded project that gives career and professional development opportunities for chemistry faculty members who teach at two-year colleges. She was invited to speak at a special symposium at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in 2014 to discuss how her participation in various workshops has impacted her institution and professional development.
For the past four years, Brooms served on the Regional Advisory Board for the Two Year College Chemistry Consortium, a national organization dedicated to developing and improving the quality of chemistry programs at community colleges. She also has been a NSF reviewer for the ATE, IUSE, and STEM grant programs. She was named a recipient of the 2013 John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award, presented by The League for Innovation in the Community College.
“I value Dr. Brooms’ commitment to Prairie State College over the years and her enduring commitment to her students’ success,” Winfree said.
Also recognized as a nominee during the luncheon was Craig Vlietstra, who Winfree nominated for the Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Member Award.
The Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Member Award recognizes the high achievement of Illinois’ part-time community college instructors. Winfree nominated Vlietstra for his valuable contributions to the students and PSC, especially in the area of Health and Industrial Technology.
“Because of Mr. Vlietstra’s work in our Health and Industrial Technology division, the profile of the college continues to be prominent and positive in our community,” Winfree said.
Vlietstra has been with PSC as a part-time instructor since the fall 2011. He has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Fire Science Technology Program, as well as the program’s coordinator, and now as an instructor and coordinator of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
Source: www.prairiestate.edu
