Academics

Two Palm Beach State College professors have been selected for the National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Awards.

Dr. Paul Friedman, department chair and crime scene technology professor, and Professor Tracy Ciucci, who teaches health education in Lake Worth, were chosen from among the College’s more than 300 full-time professors.

They are among about 850 recipients across the country who will be celebrated for their commitment and contributions to their students and colleagues at the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration. The event will be held during the NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence May 25-28 in Austin, Texas.

Ciucci and Friedman were chosen for the honor by the PBSC Dean’s Council after a nomination process. “They were selected by the Deans’ Council because they are creative and innovative in their teaching,’’ said Dr. Sharon Sass, vice president of academic affairs. “They not only teach, but they give students real world opportunities to learn. They are leaders in their individual disciplines.”

Ciucci has used her health education classes to help point students to community health resources that can help them outside of the classroom. Friedman has created partnerships with law enforcement agencies to allow his students to get experience at real crime scenes.

Created in 1978, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) is a consortium of community and technical colleges that share a commitment to supporting excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership. NISOD supports its member colleges by providing professional development resources and learning experiences, including practitioner publications, webinars, the annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, the NISOD Excellence Awards, and more. For more information about NISOD, visit www.nisod.org.