Employees win teaching, staff excellence awards

Three employees were recognized during 2023 Fall Convocation for winning the Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Awards and the Staff Excellence in Service Award at Gadsden State Community College. 

“It is a privilege to recognize our outstanding employees,” said Dr. Tera Simmons, executive vice president and presenter of the awards. “We have many wonderful faculty and staff members at Gadsden State; most of who give freely of their time and talents to improve the lives and educational experiences of our students.” 

The Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award is the highest honor bestowed on the faculty at Gadsden State. Each award is given in recognition of career achievements in teaching with emphasis on concrete accomplishments and proven results. 

The Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award for the Academic Division is Tabitha Bozeman, an English instructor on the Wallace Drive Campus. 

Bozeman is a graduate of Jacksonville State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2004. Two years later, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is currently working on a doctorate through Sam Houston State University. 

Besides her teaching course load and advising duties at Gadsden State, Bozeman is the editor of the Cardinal Arts Journal. She recruits students, faculty, staff and community members to contribute their original work to be published at least three times a year in the CAJ. The CAJ has been nominated for a 2024 Etowah Chamber Excellence in Education Award. Bozeman won an EIE award in May 2023 when she was presented with “The Heart of an Educator” trophy. 

Bozeman also hosts campus workshops in connection with the CAJ that offer opportunities for students to participate in creative projects such as poetry and watercolor painting. 

Bozeman has had original poetry accepted for publication by the Texas Poetry Journal, HERE Journal, Red Rez Literary Journal, Mud Season Review, Birmingham Arts Journal and The Texas Poetry Review Anthology on Southern Poets. She had two poems most recently published in the book The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume X: Alabama. 

The Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award for the Technical Division was awarded to Dr. Evelyn Lightsey, Gadsden State’s simulation lab coordinator and nursing instructor. 

Beginning in 1987, Lightsey has worked in the medical field as a staff nurse, cardiac cath lab nurse and education coordinator. She began her time at Gadsden State in 2007 as a nursing technician and adjunct instructor. Two years later, she took on the role of course coordinator and nursing instructor. In 2019, she earned her current position within the Nursing Department. 

Lightsey earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from JSU in 1989. In 2009, she was awarded a Master of Science in Nursing from UAB. In 2018, she received a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Samford University. 

Lightsey is a member of the Society of Simulation in Healthcare; Association of Standardized Patient Educators; National League of Nursing; Alabama State Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. 

The Staff Excellence in Service Award is annually given to someone who is recognized for their ability to perform responsibilities in a proficient and capable manner and for their commitment to co-workers and Gadsden State students. 

This year’s Staff Excellence in Service Award is Hilary Blackwood, the media technician in the Teaching and Learning Center. 

Blackwood is known for her willingness to assist her co-workers and her consistent participation in college events and programs. She volunteers as Swoop from time-to-time and can be found at Cardinal sporting events and theatre performances. She presents art workshops to benefit faculty and staff and leads tours for the library. 

Blackwood earned an associate degree in general studies from Snead State in 2001. In 2006, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from JSU. She is the past winner of the Instructional Enrichment Award presented at The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah’s Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony. 

Each of the award recipients received $1,000 in discretionary funds within the appropriate department or division budget for the academic year to be used for equipment, professional development or teaching supplies.