2026 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Awards announced

The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recipients for 2026 are Amanda Olding and Terkerah Washington.

• A celebration for the award recipients will take place on Monday, April 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Center.
• The celebration also will recognize the 2026 House/Bruckmann award recipients, Milene Donlin and Julie McLaughlin, and the other award nominees (Sheena Davis, Jessica Loomis, and Dr. Carol Morman), as well as new recipients of Professor Emeritus status.

Amanda Olding, Nursing (Health & Public Safety)

Amanda has served as Adjunct Nursing Clinical Educator for courses in the associate degree nursing (RN) program for six years, supporting clinical and laboratory instructional activities for four Nursing courses. She was nominated for Excellence in Instruction, particularly in the course NUR 201 (Nursing Concepts 4 – Medical-Surgical Nursing). 

The nomination commended Amanda’s contributions that “enrich the Nursing program, elevate the clinical learning environment, and exemplify the qualities of an outstanding nursing educator.”

• The nomination noted that Amanda demonstrates “outstanding dedication to student learning and success” and shows “commitment to supporting each nursing student’s journey in every clinical interaction.” 
• The nomination states that Amanda takes an individualized approach to teaching, thoughtfully assessing each student’s strengths and areas for improvement, and investing extra time to provide personalized guidance through targeted skill reinforcement, one-on-one coaching, or “simply offering a listening ear when students feel overwhelmed.”
• The nomination also points out that Amanda’s nurturing presence helps students feel safe asking questions, reflecting on challenges, and growing from their experiences, and describes Amanda as “patient, encouraging, and deeply intentional in helping students develop clinical judgment and professionalism.” She adapts her instruction to meet diverse needs, “ensuring that every student, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to succeed,” and her “unwavering dedication” routinely leads to spending “additional time and effort to ensure students understand complex concepts, feel prepared for patient care, and progress successfully through the course.”

Amanda’s passion for nursing education, combined with her compassionate, learner-centered approach, makes her an invaluable member of the Nursing clinical team.

Terkerah Washington – Communications (Humanities & Sciences)

Terkerah has served as an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State for five years, teaching courses in Public Speaking and also representing the College as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau. She was nominated for her Collaborative Spirit, Contributions to the College, and Commitment to Student Success.

Her nomination describes Terkerah as a “collaborative colleague” who contributes to a “welcoming and supportive culture” within the Communications department, as well as an instructor who “maintains high expectations while ensuring students have the tools and encouragement they need to succeed.”

• Terkerah volunteered to revamp the Public Speaking course to better meet student needs and regularly shares course materials and resources with both new and experienced instructors. She also leads the department’s Speaking Lab initiative, which gives online Public Speaking students opportunities to present to a live audience. 
• The nomination commends Terkerah’s willingness to “invest significant time and care to ensure students understand course material, often going beyond what is required to support their learning.” She also makes herself available outside of scheduled class time, particularly before student presentations, providing guidance and reassurance when students need it most.  
• Terkerah also has made important contributions to the College through her service with the Cincinnati State Speaker’s Bureau, which was established in 2023 to provide speakers for community businesses and organizations. Her nomination notes that Terkerah was the first adjunct faculty participant for this uncompensated volunteer activity, and points out that she has “represented the College numerous times, giving her time and talent to this initiative.” 

Terkerah’s abillity to provide excellent instruction, and willingness to also engage with the community and serve as a visible ambassador for Cincinnati State, reflect a deep commitment to the College’s mission.

Background

The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award was established in 2021.

• Any part-time employee with responsibilities that involve instruction, cooperative education coordination, clinical or practicum coordination, or academic advising is eligible for nomination. Full-time staff members at the College may be nominated only in recognition of their adjunct responsibilities.
• Nominations can be made by full-time and part-time faculty, academic administrators, staff members, and students, using the same criteria as those for the House/Bruckmann awards.
• Nominations must be endorsed by the applicable program or department chair and the applicable division administrator.
• Nominations are then reviewed by the members of the Faculty Excellence Committee, who select the award recipients. Up to five adjunct faculty members may receive the award each year.