14 Dec Instructor Selected as Finalist for Statewide Teaching Award

Carteret Community College Instructor Selected as Finalist for Statewide Teaching Award

Morehead City, N.C. (December 14, 2020) – Karen Bochnovic is one of four instructors across the state of North Carolina selected as a finalist for the 2021 North Carolina Community College System Excellence in Teaching Award. Bochnovic serves as the Chair of Academic Success, Arts & Sciences at Carteret Community College.

The North Carolina Community College System Excellence in Teaching Award, sponsored by R.J. Reynolds, was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 1985. This award provides statewide recognition of faculty members who exemplify the highest quality and standards of instruction throughout the North Carolina Community College System.

The award recipient will receive a cash prize of $8,000 and a plaque. The recipient’s college foundation will receive a cash prize of $2,000. The finalists will receive a cash award of $500 and certificates. Certificates will also be given to the colleges of the award recipient and finalists.

To compete for the award, instructors must be nominated by their college president. In Bochnovic’s case, Dr. Tracy Mancini, Carteret Community College’s President, nominated her for the award. Mancini completed an application that included narrative showing that Bochnovic demonstrated the following seven selection criteria:

• Interactions with students that focus on their successful development as whole persons.
• Effective classroom environments that result in motivated students and successful learning.
• Innovations in teaching methods including the effective use of technology.
• Professional development activities and experiences that enhance teaching effectiveness.
• Leadership roles beyond the classroom related to the practice and profession of teaching.
• Past recognition and awards received as a faculty member.
• Overall consistent and excellent job behaviors that exhibit unselfish devotion and significant contributions to student, college, and system success (exceeds normal expectations).

“Not only is Karen Bochnovic an excellent instructor, but she is a dedicated and passionate student advocate. Karen is the kind of instructor who goes the extra mile to make her students’ learning experiences clear and easy to navigate, while at the same time holding them to a high standard of performance and achievement,” said Mancini. “She is creative, tireless in her efforts for continuous improvement, and always willing to learn and incorporate new technology and techniques. In addition to all of that, she is kind and gracious with everyone. We at Carteret Community College are proud that she is representing us in this statewide award.”

The screening committee reviewed the initial applications and selected the semi-finalists to interview. Bochnovic participated in her 50-minute Zoom interview with the committee on Nov. 17 for the semi-final round and her second interview on December 11 as a finalist. Now, she waits to see if she was selected as the winner.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen as a finalist and am excited to represent Carteret Community College,” said Bochnovic. “I am so thankful for Dr. Mancini’s support with the Excellence in Teaching award.”

The Excellence in Teaching selection committee will recommend the award recipient to the full State Board. The recipient will be chosen by a committee which will include various stakeholders within the North Carolina Community College System. The committee will recommend their top selection to the State Board at the January 2020 Board Meeting.

###