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.
2023 SOAR Awards Winners
Community College of the Year
Walters State Community College
Technical College of the Year
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Morristown
Community College Student of the Year:
Elaine Scott, a Psychology student at Jackson State Community College who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on cognitive neuroscience, then work as an educator and researcher.
Technical College Student of the Year:
Paige Isbell, a Farming Operations Technology student at TCAT Crump, who plans to work as a veterinary assistant at a veterinary clinic for large and small animals after graduation.
Community College Faculty Member of the Year:
Dr. Liz Mayo, Professor of English Composition and Literature, and Gender Studies at Jackson State Community College
Technical College Faculty Member of the Year:
Janaria McIntosh, Master Barber Instructor at TCAT Chattanooga
Community College Staff Member of the Year:
Dale Grisso, Financial Literacy Manager at Chattanooga State Community College
Technical College Staff Member of the Year:
Sayde Potts, Partnership in Agricultural Education Coordinator at TCAT Crump
College Advisor of the Year, recognizing overall excellence in student advising at a TBR community or technical college:
Pamela Bigham, Student Services Coordinator at TCAT Dickson
Philanthropy Award:
The Gene Haas Foundation
Volunteer Award:
Susan Rhodes, Chair of the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee, former director of The Ayers Foundation and founder of ROW Strategies.
Partnership Awards:
Roane State Community College & UCOR, United Cleanup Oak Ridge
TCAT Knoxville and Alcoa City Schools
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