SSCC instructors honored for 'Excellence in Education'

      Four Southern State Community College instructors will be honored in Ohio Magazine’s upcoming Excellence in Education edition. The publication’s December 2009 issue will recognize Carry DeAtley, Ed.D., Jeff Foster, M.S., Robert Headley, Ph.D., and Jeff Montgomery, M.Ed., for their inclusion in the “roster of outstanding faculty at Ohio colleges and universities.”

      Dr. Carry DeAtley is an associate professor at Southern State and heads up the college’s medical assisting program. She earned her A.A.S. from Southern State Community College, B.A. from Midway College, M.B.A. from Franklin University, and her Ed.D. from Argosy University.

      “Carry strives to meet students’ needs by developing new programs and expanding others,” said Karen Davis, Dean of Instruction and Central Campus Director, “developing/teaching online courses, adding classes, tutoring, and securing resources.  Under her leadership, the medical assisting programs have repeatedly met all of the outcome thresholds required by their review board in retention, placement, exam success, graduate surveys and employer surveys.”

      Jeff Foster, associate professor of biology, earned his A.S. from Southern State Community College, and both his B.S. and M.S. from Morehead State University.

      “Jeff is passionate about all things green or growing,” said Dr. Peggy Chalker, South Campus Director. “His love for science is contagious to his students because of how he engages them into the learning process. He teaches from his lab so that he may demonstrate application to theory and concepts. Students gain more than knowledge on environmental sciences or anatomy and physiology; they also develop excellent study and investigative research skills through the assignments and projects in his course.

      “Professor Foster found ways to integrate his passion, his colleagues and the Southern State community into a multidiscipline, community based, genographic project. This multifaceted, team-taught course, with guest visits from Dr. Spencer Wells of National Geographic, explores the science of DNA, racial diversity, anthropology, genealogy, linguistics and art unique to Appalachian cultures. Jeff started at SSCC as a student and returned to teach more than 20 years as an instructor. He emulates the opportunities a community college can offer.”

      Dr. Robert Headley, professor of English, earned his B.A. from Urbana College, M.A. from the University of Dayton, and his Ph.D. from Ohio University.

      “Dr. Headley teaches a variety of courses in the areas of English, philosophy and literature,” said Terri Limbert, North Campus Director. “The students enjoy his courses because he expects quality in writing but he also encourages lively discussion. Those who transfer to four-year colleges indicate their appreciation of the preparation that Dr. Headley instills in his courses. Since Dr. Headley has taught at four-year colleges, he understands the preparation that students need to pursue an undergraduate degree. Dr. Headley has taught at SSCC for more than 20 years and provides much-appreciated experiential mentorship to new and current faculty.”

      Jeff Montgomery, a computer science instructor, earned his B.A. from Denison University and M.Ed. from Wright State University.

      “Dedicated to his students, Jeff Montgomery provides academic advising, participates in campus activities, and works with outside organizations to ensure rich learning experiences,” said Jessica Wise, Fayette Campus Director.” Jeff has created server administration, database management, and Java courses as well as partnered in creating the MIS degree program at the college.”

      For more information about Southern State Community College, please call 1-800-628-7722, email info@sscc.edu or visit www.sscc.edu.