College Begins 57th Year with Monday’s First Classes
Angelina College this past week celebrated the arrival of a new academic year while opening its 57th year of serving the East Texas community with Monday’s Convocation and Tuesday’s Staff and Faculty Awards ceremony.
Opened in 1968, AC has experienced substantial growth in both student population and physical size. During Monday’s Convocation, several staff members – including president Dr. Michael Simon – announced the adoption of “The AC Way.”
“During the 2024-25 academic year, the college engaged over 200 faculty and staff members through surveys, in-depth interviews, and workshops to capture who we are, how we work, and what drives our success,” Simon said. “By documenting our shared vision, purpose, characteristics, values, and behaviors we ensure the continuity of that which makes AC special.
“Our campus culture – the AC Way – supports our continued excellence, helps us respond to change, and cements our shared legacy.”
Tuesday’s ceremony featured the college’s annual awards banquet, which included awards for both years of serviced and individual awards selected after peer voting.
The first day of classes for the new semester at AC is Monday, August 18.
Following are the lists of Tuesday’s award recipients:
Service Pin Awards:
25-Year Service Awards: Kristi Clark (Director of Learning) and Benetha Jackson (Instructor-Psychology).
20-Year Service Award: Byron Coleman (Instructor-Physical Education and Student Success)
15-Year Service Awards: Kim Meshell (Allied Health Program Director), Amy Morrison (Instructor-Speech), Chad Becker (Manager of Payroll and Benefits), Amber Murphy (Instructor-Nursing) and Jesse Cole (Instructor-Welding).
10-Year Service Awards: Dr. Michael Simon (President), Remona Boodoo Frye – Student Success Coach), Shanda Keely (Chair-Workforce and Continuing Education), Kathlyn Jackson (Instructor-Nursing), Tommy Biggs (Maintenance Mechanic) and Jeremy Sanchez (Instructor – Electromechanical Technology).
Five-year Service Awards: Dianne Amerine (Director of Small Business Development Center), Steve Reece (Maintenance Mechanic), Mary Hastings (Instructor-Vocational Nursing Program), Krista Brown (Vice President of Student Services), Calvin Rowland (Administrative Assistant-Science and Math), Mary Baker (Administrative Assistant-Arts and Education), Morgan Shannon (Specialist of Benefits and Human Resources) and Catalina Avila (Financial Aid Advisor).
Individual awards (as voted by peers):
Adjunct Faculty Award: Josephine Taylor, Instructor-Biology
Distinguished Staff Member of the Year Award: Dr. Esther Campbell, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs
Faculty Excellence in Service Award: Dr. Annette Gillum, Instructor-Spanish
Outstanding Program, Department or Discipline Award: Office of Financial Aid (Glenn Goforth, Rosa Heredia, Francell Horace, Irma Montoya, Autumn Stephens, Annette Sandoval and Jazmine Santoyo-Arias.
Outstanding Teaching Award: Stefanie Vaughn, Program Director, Surgical Technology
Rookie Award: Alexandria Barney, Director of Career and Transfer Connections
Spirit Award: Lou Ann Williams, Specialist of Admissions and Customer Service
Staff Leadership Award: Glenn Goforth, Senior Director of Financial Aid and Admissions
Distinguished Faculty Award: Gary Stallard, Instructor-English
For further information, contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.
