WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 15, 2025 — The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual Regional Awards for community college trustees, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff members. This year, we also introduce a new category to recognize outstanding impacts and successes made by community colleges. The 2025 ACCT Awards program is sponsored by ACCT Corporate Council member Edamerica.
ACCT’s Regional Awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities.
“We are excited to introduce a new award this year for colleges that demonstrate the impact and success of their educational programs,” said ACCT Chair and Bellevue Community College Trustee Rich Fukutaki. “Every trustee, college president or chancellor, faculty member, and professional board staff member who receive awards are vital to their colleges own successes, and it is ACCT’s privilege to be able to recognize their dedication and accomplishments.”
“As someone who travels to scores of campuses every year, I see firsthand the important work done by our member colleges,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s best public servants and professionals through our regional awards program.” The full list of awardees follows. Awards
The full list of awardees follows.
2025 ACCT Regional Awardees
2025 Trustee Leadership Award
CENTRAL REGION
David Steffens
North Iowa Area Community College, Iowa
NORTHEAST REGION
Victor M. Richel
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Ken Hector
Chemeketa Community College, Ore.
SOUTHERN REGION
Joe Lewis
Aiken Technical College, S.C.
WESTERN REGION
Thomas Swisstack
Central New Mexico Community College, N.M.
2025 Impact & Success Award
CENTRAL REGION
College of Lake County, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Hudson County Community College, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Yavapai College, Ariz.
SOUTHERN REGION
Santa Fe College, Fla.
WESTERN REGION
Alamo Colleges District, Texas
2025 Chief Executive Officer Award
CENTRAL REGION
Dr. Joe Gilgour
Mineral Area College, Mo.
NORTHEAST REGION
Dr. DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Monroe Community College, N.Y.
PACIFIC REGION
Dr. Amy Morrison
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Wash.
SOUTHERN REGION
Dr. Janet N. Spriggs
Forsyth Technical Community College, N.C.
WESTERN REGION
Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher
Houston Community College, Texas.
2025 Faculty Member Award
CENTRAL REGION
Merri Fefles-Dunkle
Moraine Valley Community College, Ill.
NORTHEAST REGION
Elana Winslow
Hudson County Community College, N.J.
PACIFIC REGION
Mark Wong
Contra Costa Community College District, Calif.
SOUTHERN REGION
Lindsay Weathers
Midlands Technical College, S.C.
WESTERN REGION
Brandon Keller
Northeast Community College, Neb.
2025 Professional Board Staff Member Award
CENTRAL REGION
Benita Duncan
Lansing Community College, Mich.
NORTHEAST REGION
Linda Hall
Monroe Community College, N.Y.
PACIFIC REGION
Myra Lomahan
Southwestern Community College District, Calif.
SOUTHERN REGION
Stacey Sholar
Western Piedmont Community College, N.C.
WESTERN REGION
Mandi Reiland
San Jacinto Community College District, Texas
For more information about the ACCT Regional Awards, visit www.acct.org/acct-regional-awards or contact [email protected].