Chief Executive Officer / Dean | Great Falls College MSU (gfcmsu.edu)

CEO/Dean's Awards

GREAT FALLS COLLEGE MSU CEO/DEAN'S AWARDS

CEO/Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence

The CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes outstanding full-time faculty at Great Falls College Montana State University. It is awarded annually to one full-time faculty member at the College who distinctly represents teaching excellence epitomized by Great Falls College MSU. The recipient receives $1,000 and the honor of joining the platform party during commencement exercises and addressing the graduating class. 

CEO/Dean's Award for Staff Excellence

The CEO/Dean’s Staff Recognition Award recognizes outstanding support staff at Great Falls College Montana State University. It is awarded annually to one full-time staff member at the College who distinctly represents excellence epitomized by Great Falls College MSU. The recipient receives $1,000 and will be recognized at the annual Employee Recognition Reception. 

CEO/Dean's Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty

The CEO/Dean’s Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty recognizes outstanding adjunct faculty at Great Falls College Montana State University. It is awarded annually to one adjunct faculty member at the College who distinctly displays efforts to improve the quality of instruction epitomized by Great Falls College MSU. The recipient receives $500 and will be recognized at the annual Employee Recognition Reception. 

2023 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Ms. Joleen Cordeiro Computer Applications Adjunct Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Mr. Ben McKinley Maintenance
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Ms. Marla McFerrin Surgical Technology Faculty

2022 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Mr. Dave Spicer Computer Science Adjunct Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Ms. Kayla McKinley Accounting Associate
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Ms. Daisy Gibson Surgical Technology Faculty

2021 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Ms. Wendy Truax Math Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Ms. Kathy Meier Director of Academic Success and Accessibility
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Mr. Steve Robinett Computer Science Faculty

2020 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Ms. Cheryl Simpson Computer Technology Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Mr. Wayne Breau eLearning Instructional Technology Specialist
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Ms. Lindsay Wiard Math Faculty

2019 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Ms. Tara Burke Math Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Ms. Stacy Lowry General Studies Administrative Assistant
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Ms. Leigh Ann Ruggiero English Faculty

2018 Winners

CEO/Dean’s Award for  Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Mr. Joe Barlow Chemistry Adjunct Faculty
	CEO/Dean’s Award for  Staff Excellence Ms. Dena Wagner-Fossen Registrar
CEO/Dean’s Award for  Teaching Excellence Ms. Elfie Neber Psychology Faculty

2017 Winners

Doug Zander, Julie Freshly, and Michelle Brown

CEO/Dean’s Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty
Ms. Michelle Brown, Math Adjunct Faculty

CEO/Dean’s Award for Staff Excellence
Ms. Julie Freshly, Assistant to the Chief Student Affairs Officer

CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence
Mr. Doug Zander, Welding Faculty

2016 WINNERS

CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2016
Mr. Joel Henderson, Emergency Medical Services Program Director/Faculty

CEO/Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2016
Dr. Daniel Casmier for his efforts in implementing innovative teaching strategies.

 2015 WINNERS

CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2015
Mr. Thomas Oakberg, Math Faculty

CEO/Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2015
Dr. Brenda Canine for her efforts in designing and building the NANSLO lab. 

 2014 WINNERS

CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2014
Dr. Deborah Newton, Medical Billing and Coding Program Director/Faculty

CEO/Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2014
Math Department Faculty: Claire Flood, Jill Keil, Thomas Oakberg, Christopher Peck, Mark Plante, Valerie Smith - for their efforts to improve, to find solutions, and to try new ideas leading to increased student success, reduced costs, and better teaching and learning.

2013 WINNERS
CEO/Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2013
Larry Vaccaro, Communication Faculty

CEO/Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2013
Dental Hygiene Program Faculty, Staff & Students: Project Homeless Connect 
Kim Woloszyn, Gail Staples, Donald Blevins, Jocelyn Juelfs, Holly Schott, Katie Zignego, and Kelli McDonald

2012 WINNERS
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2012
Dr. Cherie McKeever, Science Faculty

Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2012
Advising and Career Center: Courtney Johnsrud, Eleazar Ortega, Greg Stivers, Jamie Hauer, and Sandy Bauman

2011 WINNERS
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence – 2011
Jason Harding, Sustainable Energy Technician Program Director

Dean’s Award for Innovation – 2011
Health care career fair and parent night working group: Charlene Marshall, Susan Cooper, Brad Bechard, Linda Wing, Lanni Klasner, Natalie Nefzger, Megann McDonald, and Greg Paulauskis.

2010 WINNERS 
Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence - 2010
Sandra Allen, Surgical Technology Program Director

Dean's Award for Innovation - 2010
Science Faculty – Dr. Cherie McKeever, Roger Peffer, Tammy Filliater, Quince Lords, Chad Rebo, and Adam Wenz - for their efforts to boost retention in science courses and health science programs.