Dr. Joyce Hurt, an adjunct instructor for English at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC), recently earned one of several inaugural George B. Vaughan Leadership Awards for outstanding adjunct faculty, representing the Mid-Central Region. SVCC President Al Roberts accompanied Hurt to the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Adjunct Faculty Institute event in Glen Allen on Nov. 17.

Hurt and her four fellow awardees were chosen from among approximately 9,000 adjunct faculty members throughout Virginia’s 23 community colleges.

The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education created the award to honor Vaughan’s career in higher education and to highlight the achievements of part-time faculty members. Vaughan was the founding president of Mountain Empire Community College who would go on later to take the helm at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Vaughan has written more than 100 books and been named one of America’s 50 most effective community college presidents. The Vaughan Award recognizes one outstanding adjunct faculty member from each of Virginia Community College’s five regions served by a Regional Center for Teaching Excellence. Each award also includes a check for $1,000.

“The instructors we honor with the Vaughan Award are among our very best,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “These part-time instructors make a big-time impact on the students they serve, as well the success of those students. And we are honored to have George Vaughan joining us as these inaugural awards are announced.”

This year’s other honorees are Dr. Trina Campbell, adjunct instructor for math at Germanna Community College, representing the Northern Virginia Region; Toby Cook, adjunct instructor for Health Care Technician I & II (Nurse Aide) at Virginia Highlands Community College, Southwest Region; Marcie Gale, adjunct instructor for electronics, engineering, math and STEM Academy at Central Virginia Community College, Central Virginia Region; and David Warren, adjunct instructor of music at Tidewater Community College, Tidewater Region.