Finalists Dinner (March 28)
6 to 7:30 p.m. | Platinum Ballroom
5th annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Awards (SOAR)
March 28-29, 2023
Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown
623 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37219
With opportunities for Tennesseans to attend college at an all-time high thanks to Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, the Tennessee Board of Regents will honor six outstanding students, faculty and staff members and two colleges of the year in its fifth annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards.
SOAR Awards-Key Events
The Finalists Dinner will be the night before the SOAR Awards. This event will highlight all of the regional finalists for Student, Faculty and Staff of the Year from our community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.
Breakfast (March 29)
7:30 to 9 a.m. | Platinum Ballroom
A drop-in buffet breakfast will be served for SOAR finalists, overnight guests, including TBR Presidents, participating faculty and staff, as well as System office personnel.
Student Honors Luncheon (March 29)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Platinum Ballroom
The Student Honors Luncheon is a combined event recognizing Phi Theta Kappa and National Technical Honor Society students throughout the System.
Chancellor’s Reception (March 29)
5 to 6:15 p.m. | Skye Lounge
This event consists of legislators, TBR staff, and college presidents. Sponsors will have the opportunity to visit with all those who make The College System of Tennessee one of the best in the nation. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided during this event, which takes place prior to the SOAR Awards.
SOAR Awards (March 29)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Platinum Ballroom
The SOAR Awards will be the culmination of two days of recognizing the best the College System of Tennessee has to offer. At this event, the most outstanding students, faculty members and staff from the System’s 13 community colleges and 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology will be announced. The event will also will recognize the Colleges of the Year and top philanthropists from across the state.
SPONSORS
SOAR would not be possible without support from amazing partners to TBR—The College System of Tennessee which include:
Presenting Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Education Champions
College Champions
Friends of TBR
2023 SOAR Awards Information
PREVIOUS SOAR AWARD WINNERS
Community College of the Year
Walters State Community College
Technical College of the Year
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton
Community College Student of the Year
Zennia Nesmith, a psychology major pursuing an Associate of Science degree at Chattanooga State Community College
College of Applied Technology Student of the Year
Clifton Alex Floyd, an information technology student at TCAT Shelbyville
Community College Faculty Member of the Year
Dr. Elvira Eivazova, associate professor of biology at Columbia State Community College
College of Applied Technology Faculty Member of the Year
James Cochrane, information technology and infrastructure management instructor at TCAT Shelbyville
Community College Staff Member of the Year
Rob Keel, human resources analyst at Motlow State Community College
College of Applied Technology Staff Member of the Year
Karen Larsen, curriculum and compliance coordinator at TCAT Jackson
Advisor of the Year
Pedro Martinez, an advisor/counselor for 11 years at Volunteer State Community College
Volunteer of the Year
Regent Danni Varlan, recognized for her 12 years of service as a member of the Board of Regents representing the 2ndCongressional District; as a board member of the Foundation of the College System of Tennessee; for being a mentor, and for her work at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Benefactor of the Year
FedEx, recognized for its many contributions to and support of the system and its colleges, including aviation maintenance and aircraft mechanics technology students and programs. FedEx employees also contribute their time and expertise by serving on college advisory boards and the board for the Foundation of the College System of Tennessee.
Partnership Award
Roan State Community College and Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Oak Ridge and President and CEO Barry Stephenson and his wife Lucy Stephenson, for many years of work with and support of Roane State, including creation of the college’s innovative “Labin-a-Box” program that provides STEM kits and lesson plans to local classrooms.
Community College of the Year
Columbia State Community College
Technical College of the Year
TCAT Shelbyville
Students of the Year, Community College
Deborah Carol Hale, a pre-K education major, Chattanooga State Community College.
Student of the Year, Technical College
Brian Shanley, a collision repair major, TCAT Oneida-Huntsville.
Faculty Member of the Year, Community College
Candace Justice, director of instructional design and associate professor of English, Walters State Community College.
Faculty Member of the Year, Technical College
Jennifer Wright, technology foundations instructor, TCAT Shelbyville.
Staff Member of the Year, Community College
L. Angela Webb, director of police services and public safety at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Staff Member of the Year, Technical College
Rob Alford, special industry training coordinator, TCAT Pulaski.
Community College of the Year
Roane State Community College
Technical College of the Year
TCAT Hohenwald
Students of the Year, Community College
Dominic Marcoaldi, Nashville State Community College
Student of the Year, Technical College
Ryan Olivia Cross, TCAT Paris
Faculty Member of the Year, Community College
Kathleen McAdams, Nashville State Community College
Faculty Member of the Year, Technical College
Mike Sledzinski, TCAT Knoxville
Staff Member of the Year, Community College
Sharon Edwards, Motlow State Community College
Staff Member of the Year, Technical College
John Lee, TCAT Elizabethton