TC Announces Faculty and Staff NISOD Excellence Award Recipients

Texarkana College is proud to announce its recipients of the annual National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. 2017 honorees include Tonja Mackey, Ph.D., Executive Director of Library and Federal Trio Programs, and Marc-André Bougie, Associate Professor of Music at Texarkana College. Chosen for the extraordinary work they do for their students, colleagues, and community, both Mackey and Bougie were recognized at the annual international NISOD conference. 

“I am honored to receive the NISOD Excellence Award and to represent Texarkana College,” Mackey said. “At the conference, Marc-Andre and I were among peers who share our same passion for teaching and helping students achieve their highest potential. The real honor in our field is to see students transform their lives through attaining their education.”

Mackey serves as TC’s project director of the federally-funded Talent Search and Student Support Services grant which is part of the federal TRIO program. This service provides underserved students with resources to help them prepare for college, complete their college admissions process, and succeed on their pathway toward college completion.  Mackey also serves as TC’s head librarian and director of library services where she has transformed the space into the hub of the campus for academic support and leadership development opportunities. 

Bougie, TC’s faculty recipient, serves not only as a TC faculty member, but also as the music director and conductor for the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. Internationally acclaimed for his captivating performances and visionary musical leadership, Bougie has established himself as a highly sought-after guest conductor for orchestras across the globe. Bougie, along with his wife, Candace Taylor, an accomplished soprano, are currently in Coro, Venezuela, working with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Falcon on an up-coming concert. In 2016, Bougie was named TC’s Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence.

“The NISOD award affirms the importance of the work we do every day at TC to support students and our community,” said Bougie. “My work as a faculty member has enabled me to foster students’ dreams of a career in music and encourage them to use their talents to support the community in which they live. I hope to impress on students that there’s no better reward than to give back to others and to have the ability to share your talent.”

Each year Texarkana College recognizes two individuals, one staff and one faculty, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. All nominees are approved by the College President, James Henry Russell. Russell stated, “TC is committed to celebrating the extraordinary work of our faculty, administrators, and staff whose service to our students, colleagues, and community deserve our special recognition. I am so proud of the work done on behalf of TC by our Excellence Award recipients this year, and I’m honored to be able to work alongside such talented individuals.”

Created in 1978, NISOD is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges.

Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director, said, “Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year. The extraordinary work of these men and women includes not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.”

More information about NISOD and Award of Excellence honorees can be found at www.nisod.org.