2016 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest
NISOD and Community College Week Announce
the 2016 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest
NISOD and its partner Community College Week are pleased to announce the opening of the annual Scott Wright Student Essay Contest held in honor of Scott Wright, past editor of Community College Week, and recipient of the 1998 Award for Excellence in Higher Education Journalism. Wright was also the reporter who brought national attention to developmental education and the unique mission community colleges possess in providing an accessible education.
Austin, Texas, September 25, 2015—NISOD and Community College Week are pleased to announce the opening of the 2016 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest. The two organizations are holding the essay contest in honor of Scott Wright, past editor of Community College Week, recipient of the 1998 Award for Excellence in Higher Education Journalism, and the reporter who brought national attention to developmental education and the unique mission community colleges possess in providing an accessible education.
Held annually, the contest is open to students currently enrolled at NISOD-member colleges and asks them to describe a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who encouraged him or her to complete a course, finish a semester, or graduate from college, and describe how that encouragement helped him or her reach that goal.
“We’re excited about this opportunity to recognize Mr. Wright’s contributions to the work of community colleges,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “NISOD is also committed to providing this annual opportunity for students to express their deep gratitude for the positive impact that faculty members, staff members, and administrators have had on their lives.”
“The contest aligns with NISOD’s mission by highlighting the importance of lasting, positive impressions in teaching and learning,” Pam Barrett, Community College Week’s publisher, told an audience at NISOD 2015. “And it mirrors the lasting influence left by Scott’s contributions to higher education journalism and Community College Week. As the essay contest honors student and faculty successes, so we also remember the successes of Scott Wright.”
The three winning student authors and the faculty member, staff member, or administrator featured in the winning essay will each receive a $1,000 check. The winning student authors and featured employees will also be brought to and recognized during the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration held in conjunction with NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 28-31, 2016, in Austin, Texas.
Additional information about the 2016 Community College Week/NISOD Student Essay Contest in honor of Scott Wright is available at www.nisod.org/student-essay-contest or by contacting membership@nisod.org or (512) 471-7545.
About NISOD: Created in 1978, NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. For community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars, NISOD provides budget-friendly, high-quality, and faculty-focused programs and resources. For nearly 40 years, NISOD’s customer-focused approach has helped align its wide array of benefits with the needs of its members.
About Community College Week: Since 1988, Community College Week and ccweek.com have provided the only independent voice for faculty, administrators and associations at the nation’s 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges. Nearly 27,000 readers find news and features not provided by other news sources, including analyses of critical academic trends and issues, vital statistics, technology updates, and employment opportunities.