Marketing & Communications Dept.
Labs, classrooms, and offices across Blue Ridge Community College’s three campus locations were filled with celebration this past week as the College announced its 2026 Faculty & Staff Award and Service Award recipients. Throughout early December, Blue Ridge recognized the dedication, ingenuity, and service of faculty and staff who advance the College’s mission of student success and workforce development.
This year, the six Faculty & Staff Award recipients received the news through a series of surprise visits from a lively “prize patrol” made up of College faculty and staff leadership with support from the Human Resources and Marketing teams. Led by President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, Executive Vice President of Programs Dr. Connie Wolfe, and Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer Dr. Chad Merrill, the patrols traveled across Henderson and Transylvania Counties to share the news. Surrounded by colleagues and students, each honoree learned of their recognition in real time, continuing a meaningful and joyful tradition as the fall semester comes to a close.
The winners included Dr. Amy Szoka, director of nursing; Rose Fichera-Lening, interpreter education instructor; Josh Bledsoe, speech instructor; Shawn McCallister, manufacturing technician instructor; Chris White, chief of police / director of safety and security; and Dr. Ashley DeCoux, faculty chair at the Transylvania County Campus.
President Leatherwood expressed her gratitude for the award winners and the impact they make each day.
“Our 2026 honorees exemplify the values and mission of Blue Ridge Community College, and we are grateful for their leadership and service,” said Dr. Leatherwood. “Their dedication to our students and their craft strengthens our College and enriches the communities we serve.”
Presented by the Educational Foundation of Blue Ridge Community College in partnership with the Human Resources Department, the annual awards honor employees whose contributions reflect leadership, innovation, service, and a commitment to well-being within the College community. Each recipient received a framed certificate and a financial award.
“This is one of the Foundation’s most uplifting traditions because it allows us to celebrate the people who make Blue Ridge exceptional,” said Jamie Wiener, executive director of the Educational Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to recognize employees who consistently inspire and support those around them. This year’s recipients truly reflect the heart of our work, and we are proud to honor them.”
The College also recognized recipients of its Service Awards at a holiday event hosted by the Human Resources Department on Dec. 4, honoring employees who have dedicated 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to Blue Ridge. These milestones celebrate the longevity, loyalty, and institutional knowledge that strengthen the College year after year.
As part of the prize patrol, Blue Ridge’s Marketing team recorded each surprise moment and prepared a brief video presentation to honor the winners.
Employee Awards
Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood Excellence in Leadership Award:
Dr. Amy Szoka, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing
The Leatherwood Leadership Award was established by Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood in 2023 to recognize exceptional leadership in providing extraordinary services, activities, or other initiatives that benefit Blue Ridge Community College.
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Killian Outstanding Teacher Award:
Rose Fichera-Lening, Interpreter Education Instructor
The Dr. and Mrs. William D. Killian Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes a faculty member’s commitment to teaching excellence.
Dr. David W. Sink Jr. Community Service Award:
Josh Bledsoe, Speech Instructor
Initiated through an endowment fund set up by the second president of Blue Ridge Community College, this award is presented to a Blue Ridge Community College employee who provides exceptional service to the community, a trait that Dr. Sink values greatly in his own life.
Dr. Eliza B. Graue Extra Mile Award:
Shawn McCallister, Manufacturing Technician Instructor
Dr. Eliza B. Graue, former president of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors, established an endowment in 1990 to fund an annual faculty recognition award. An educator herself, she wanted to provide special recognition to an instructor who has in some special way touched the lives of students at Blue Ridge Community College.
Dr. Molly A. Parkhill Staff Person of the Year:
Chris White, Chief of Police / Director of Safety and Security
Established by the third president of Blue Ridge Community College, the Dr. Molly A. Parkhill Staff Person of the Year Award recognizes a full-time staff member for individual achievement and exceptional contributions to Blue Ridge Community College.
Wellness Award:
Dr. Ashley DeCoux, Faculty Chair, Transylvania County Campus
Employee wellness has long been a priority for Blue Ridge Community College and presents an annual recognition to a deserving employee participating in the College’s wellness program to meet their goals.
Service Awards
On December 4, 2025, Blue Ridge Community College celebrated employees with milestone work anniversaries, including the following dedicated team members, through its annual Service Awards program.
25 Years of Service
- Treadway, Jennifer
20 Years of Service
- Baylor, Laura
- Bedoian, Shanda
- Stephens, Eric
- Morris, Marshall
- Blevins, David
15 Years of Service
- Sonnier, Sam
- Bailey, Brett
- Bledsoe, Joshua
- Pryor, Tammy
- Williford, Amy
- Young, Steven
10 Years of Service
- Beauregard, Victoria
- Brackett, Julie
- Howell, Sharon
- Norvell, John
- Shook, Joe
- Mickey, Lynde
5 Years of Service
- Tew, Joseph
- Kearns, Benjamin
- Cohn, Amy
- Peavy, Christopher
- Parsons, Marcy
- Craven, Andrea
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