The Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board has selected Dr. Sherry Messina Dewald as the 2009-2011 Teaching Chair in recognition of her excellence in instruction. Her award totals $22,500 over three years - a $5,000 salary enhancement each year and $2,500 per year for professional development.
Since 1991, Dr. Dewald has been a professor at the College and the department chair for Speech and Communication, Communication Disorders and Foreign Language since 2005. She is an active faculty member and sits on numerous campus committees, regularly presents at local, regional and national conferences, and maintains leadership roles on state level committees associated with the speech and communication discipline. In addition, Dr. Dewald coordinates and presents at area speech competitions and developed the first Community College Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology program and articulation agreement with University of Northern Colorado.
A comment from one of Dr. Dewald's students included, "You have provided me with many necessary skills to enrich my life as a student throughout the college. Your knowledge and compassion toward not only your students and your career, but also toward Red Rocks Community College is something that should be recognized. It is rare to find such a gifted and committed person, and I am thankful to have been given the chance to learn from you."
To be considered for the award, nominated faculty submit portfolios to be reviewed by a committee of their peers. Semi-finalists are selected based on a portfolio review and finalists are chosen after a teaching demonstration. The Foundation's board committee selects the winner based upon a final teaching demonstration. Portfolios include a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of teaching excellence, and supporting materials including student comments and evaluations.
The Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board was faced this year with suspending the teaching chair award program due to funding challenges seated in the economic downturn. Committed to the importance of recognizing teaching excellence, instead of suspending the annual award, the Board raised funds among members.