Gadsden, Ala. — Winners of the 2016 Chancellor’s Awards from Gadsden State Community College were recognized during the Alabama Community College Association Conference held Nov. 22 in Montgomery.

“Individuals were selected from each institution in the Alabama Community College System for the Chancellor’s Awards,” said Dr. Martha Lavender, president of Gadsden State. “I’m proud of each of Gadsden State’s Chancellor’s Award winners. They perform their duties at the highest levels and selflessly serve their College.”

Two members of faculty were selected for the award – Brian Geislinger and Dave Hyatt. The support staff award went to Donice Snow, and the administrator award winner is Pam Johnson.

To be eligible for the award, they must have a minimum of five years’ work experience at Gadsden State Community College. They were required to submit a resume, three letters of recommendation and a written narrative.

As winners, they received a $1,000 discretionary fund to be used for equipment, professional development or teaching supplies.

Pam Johnson

Pam Johnson is the winner of the Chancellor’s Award for Administrators. She is a long-time Gadsden State employee currently serving as the associate dean of Institutional Advancement, a position she has held since 2003. She previously served as assistant dean of Institutional Research and Computer Services and chairperson of the Computer Science and Engineering Division.

Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama. In 1995, she earned a Master of Business Administration from Jacksonville State University.

Johnson has been recognized before as Gadsden State’s Chancellor’s Award winner for Administrator of the Year in 2002. Currently, she is a member of the SACS 2018 Re-accreditation Steering Committee; the Facilities Committee and the President’s Cabinet. She also serves as a chairperson of the Technology Committee.

“Pam is dependable, hardworking and a pleasure to work with,” said Kelley Haynes Pearce, coordinator of Gadsden State’s McClellan Center. “She is a team player who is always willing to share the knowledge and pitch in when need to perform other duties.”

Brian Geislinger

Brian Geislinger is one of two winners of the Chancellor’s Award for faculty members. He is a physics instructor at Gadsden State, where he has worked since 2007. At the College, he serves as a faculty facilitator of Cardinal Academy; member of the Bookstore Proposal Committee and Presidential Advisory Committee; and faculty sponsor of the Science, Math and Engineering Club.

Geislinger has earned several degrees beginning with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Spring Hill College. He earned his master’s degree in Physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2006, he was awarded his PhD in Physics from UAB.

Geislinger is the winner of the Sigma Alpha Pi Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Vernier and National Science Teachers Association Technology Award. He has also been awarded the NASA Curriculum Improvement Partnership Award for the Integration of Research into the Undergraduate Curriculum Grant and the Gadsden State Margin of Excellence Grant.

He is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Alabama Consortium for Technology and Learning and the American Physical Society. He has presented at conferences in Utah, France, California, Canada, Mississippi and Auburn.

“Brian is an asset to our College and our community,” said Audrey Webb, chairperson of the Engineering Technologies Division at Gadsden State. “He makes learning exciting in the classroom and keeps up to date by including new technologies. He works in the community with STEM projects and promotes our College. He is a great example of a lifetime learner.”

 Dave Hyatt

Dave Hyatt is also a winner of the Chancellor’s Award for a faculty member. He has been a civil engineering instructor at Gadsden State since 2006. Previously, he worked as a civil designer for engineering firms in Gadsden, Birmingham, Albertville and Guntersville.

Hyatt earned his Associate in Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology from Gadsden State. In 2013, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Leadership from the Jacksonville State University. Two years later, he received a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Technology from JSU.

Hyatt is very active at Gadsden State. He serves as faculty advisor for Circle K service organization and is a member of the 2016 class of the Faculty Development Institute. He also serves on the SACS Writing Team, the Technology Committee and the Facility Planning Committee. In the community, he serves as a member of the Gadsden Public Library’s Blank Page Society and Leadership Etowah’s Planning Committee. He is also a departmental coordinator for Gadsden State’s United Way of Etowah County campaign.

“Dave has successfully prepared students for lucrative, rewarding careers in the Civil Engineering profession, pouring out his heart and soul to students to help them succeed,” said Tim Green, dean of technical programs.

Donice Snow

Donice Snow is the support staff member who won the Chancellor’s Award. She is administrative assistant for the Athletic Department, a position she has held since 2008. Snow has been a Gadsden State employee since 1992 and has worked in the business office and for Talent Search during her tenure.

Snow earned an Associate of Applied Science as well as a certification in word processing from Gadsden State.

Snow currently serves as treasurer of Gadsden State’s Support Personnel Association and is a member of the Hospitality Committee. She has been a member of the Gadsden State Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2004. Snow is a member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church and serves as a departmental coordinator for Gadsden State’s United Way campaign.

“I know no one at our College who gives more to our students than Ms. Snow,” said Dr. Leslie Worthington, dean of academic programs and services. “She helps them with everything from the athletic equipment they need to play their sport to the textbooks they need for classes to financial aid, academic eligibility and so much more.