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Two Adjuncts Cited for Teaching Excellence


PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 27, 2010) -- Deborah Mills, adjunct lecturer in English, and Nancy Hughes, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Human Development and Family Relations, are the recipients of SUNY Plattsburgh’s 2009-2010 Teaching Excellence Awards for Adjunct Faculty.

Deborah MillsMills has been an adjunct at SUNY Plattsburgh since 2004, teaching classes in college writing, introduction to fiction and expository writing. Prior to that, she was a composition instructor at various colleges and a high school English teacher. She has twice been a presenter at SUNY conferences on writing, and received her master’s in English education from SUNY Oneonta.

Hughes, an adjunct since 2005, teaches four courses per year, including theoretical foundations of child care, preschool Nancy Hughescurriculum development and child development. Prior to teaching at SUNY Plattsburgh, she was an elementary school teacher at Northeastern Clinton Central School in Champlain, N.Y., for many years. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops, and holds her master’s in education from SUNY Plattsburgh.

"We appreciate the contributions that both Deborah and Nancy have been making to the college and to our students," said Dr. Patricia Higgins, distinguished service professor and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. "And we appreciate, as well, the contribution made by our many talented and dedicated adjunct faculty who bring so much knowledge and skill into our classroom."

"This award is important not only because it recognizes superior individual performance but also because it reminds us that teaching is the primary mission of the college," said Dr. Steven Light, associate vice president for academic affairs. "Everything we do is designed to help our students learn. The outstanding teaching provided by adjunct faculty members is a supremely important part of this mission."

The Teaching Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty carries with it a $500 stipend to be used for travel, training or purchase of supplies in support of teaching. Both Mills and Hughes were recognized Aug. 27 during President John Ettling’s annual welcome breakfast, where they received their stipends and a certificate of achievement.

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