February 8, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Oracion, College Development Director, 575-624-7403
ENMU-ROSWELL INSTRUCTORS CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL HONOR
Two instructors at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell have been selected to receive 2022 Teaching Excellence Awards from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). Each year, instructors are nominated by peers within their division. From these nominations, the Faculty Evaluation Committee selects two faculty members for national recognition. This year, Samuel Chaves, Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Field Work, and Missael Barrientos, Welding instructor, have been selected. NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical colleges.
Chaves began working at ENMU-Roswell in 2012 as an OTA instructor. He said the receiving this recognition is unbelievable and very humbling. “What I enjoy about teaching is that many of our students are first generation students, and it is very rewarding to see them succeed and accomplish what for them seemed impossible. I enjoy seeing the growth of the students as they progress through the OTA program.”
Barrientos, who is also a graduate of ENMU-Roswell, joined the faculty in 2020. He said he was surprised to receive the award, but also thankful. “First of all, I did not expect this award. I truly never thought that I would be the one chosen, considering the fact I’ve only been working for ENMU-R for almost two years. I enjoy teaching, but I enjoy helping others gain a trade skill only a few are willing to do nowadays. I enjoy just about everything ENMU-R has offered me not only as an employee but as a former student as well.”
Chaves, Barrientos and other Excellence Award recipients will be celebrated during NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence to be held May 28-31 in Austin, TX.
The NISOD Excellence Awards were established in 1991 to provide NISOD-member colleges with an opportunity to recognize individuals doing extraordinary work on their campuses. Since then, more than 30,000 recipients have been honored with the award by their colleges.
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