{"id":28,"date":"2023-07-30T22:52:30","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T05:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/new-foundation-dev\/?page_id=28"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:54:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:54:39","slug":"bc-excellence-awards-winners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/what-we-do\/bc-excellence-awards\/bc-excellence-awards-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"BC Excellence Award Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Our 2025-26 Faculty & Staff Excellence Award Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Full-Time Faculty Award
Laura Nudelman, Communication Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In her 40 years of service to Bellevue College, Laura Nudelman has been a steadfast supporter of student success and a dedicated member of the campus community. Over decades of dedication, she has served as program chair for three separate departments, an early leader in online education, and a mentor to both students and fellow faculty alike. Her tenure in the Communication Studies department is distinguished by leading the development of targeted courses to support skill development, including CMST 350, Professional Communication for the Designer, now required for Interior Design BAS students, and CMST 252, Communication in a Diverse Healthcare Workplace, which has supported hundreds of health sciences students in becoming effective, empathetic, and culturally aware healthcare providers. Congratulations Laura!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve had the privilege of working closely with Laura Nudelman for two years, and I\u2019ve learned so much from her\u2014especially about how to run thoughtful, well-structured, and inclusive meetings. Her deep commitment to the college spans decades, and she continues to play a vital role in campus-wide governance, service, and initiatives. Her leadership, institutional knowledge, and genuine care for the BC community have made a lasting, substantive impact on the college life, and I\u2019m truly grateful to have her as a colleague and mentor.\u201d<\/p>\nNominator<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Part-Time Faculty Award
Tyler Willis, Nursing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Nominated for this award by both current students and faculty peers, Tyler Willis is a celebrated member of the Nursing department, having taught in both the Certified Nursing Assistant and Nursing Associate Degree programs. When he started as adjunct faculty in 2022, Tyler was actually returning to Bellevue College, where he graduated from the same nursing program where he now teaches! From his commitment to thorough and thoughtful instruction to his time and dedication to updating outdated nursing care plans, Tyler\u2019s work is deeply admired and respected across campus. Congratulations Tyler!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI can say without hesitation that Tyler Willis has profoundly shaped my nursing education and confidence as a student nurse. Mr. Willis consistently goes above and beyond to ensure his students succeed. He not only taught us how to perform and interpret EKGs, but also emphasized therapeutic communication, professionalism, and the importance of advocacy in nursing. He listens to our concerns, values our opinions, and creates a supportive environment where every student feels heard and encouraged to grow. His compassion, patience, and dedication extend well beyond the classroom. Through his example, Mr. Willis taught us what it truly means to be a professional nurse: to lead with respect, empathy, and integrity. Because of his mentorship, I am a more confident and capable nursing student.\u201d<\/p>\nNominator<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Classified Employee Award
Martina Almario, Enrollment Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In Martina\u2019s role as an Enrollment Services Program Specialist, she has demonstrated unwavering support for Bellevue College students. She works closely with program managers and chairs to resolve complex enrollment challenges and problem solve issues in real time to help students stay on track, all with kindness, empathy, and genuine care at the forefront of her work. From improving communications to better support students in the Basic & Transitional Studies Program to partnering with Financial Aid to improve shared processes, Martina is renowned for going above and beyond in her effort to support students and coworkers alike. Congratulations Martina!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMartina’s work meaningfully strengthens the operational infrastructure that faculty and academic programs depend on. Accurate records, efficient processes, and well designed systems allow instructional teams to focus on teaching while ensuring students are appropriately supported from an administrative standpoint. Martina\u2019s attention to detail and commitment to quality directly enhance the overall learning environment. Martina Almario is a true asset to Bellevue College. Her expertise, reliability, and commitment to excellence elevate Enrollment Services and support the success of one of the College\u2019s most complex programs. She exemplifies the essential contributions of College staff!\u201d<\/p>\nNominator<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Exempt Employee Award
Betsy Zahrt Geib, eLearning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A member of the campus community since 2012, Betsy\u2019s tenure as Associate Director of eLearning has earned her a well-deserved reputation as a champion of disability access across campus. From designing and teaching the eLearning Summer Institute to leading the creation of the nationally recognized Online Excellence Teaching Academy, Betsy\u2019s efforts have made Bellevue College courses more open, inclusive, and equitable. Her work in providing both training and direct support to faculty has improved the Bellevue College experience for thousands of students. Congratulations Betsy!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBetsy is a certificated Instructional Designer with a profound passion for combining design and pedagogy to support equitable and accessible student learning across all online and web-enhanced courses. She serves as a primary resource, supporting faculty with critical issues ranging from routine Canvas support and full course builds to specialized guidance on accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) questions, enhanced page design, Cidi Labs tools, and other essential educational technologies. Her work directly supports the success of all students in meeting their educational goals through a deep commitment to open access learning. Furthermore, she values and actively promotes a working environment that is diverse, inclusive, open, safe, and fully accessible. As an expert in neurodiversity, Betsy is dedicated to guiding and supporting her faculty colleagues to ensure their Canvas course shells are accessible, thereby providing quality, accessible learning support services for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\nNominator<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Thank You and Congratulations to All Our Nominees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We were inspired by the nominations we received this year. We feel humbled to read about the many ways that our outstanding staff and faculty nurture and support our students every single day. Congratulations to all the 2025-26 Faculty & Staff Excellence Award nominees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malini Ajwani \u2022 Maile Allen \u2022 Jay Aller \u2022 Shannon Armstrong \u2022 Subramanya Betageri \u2022 Edward Biggers \u2022 Gretchen Bird \u2022 Lily Boen \u2022 Tamara Boynton Howard \u2022 Ivan Breen \u2022 Alicia Brender \u2022 Marie Brissette \u2022 Katie Bryant \u2022 Andrew Buenbrazo \u2022 Jennifer Celms \u2022 Wentao Chen \u2022 Brian Cobb \u2022 Beth Crouse \u2022 Mariella Davila \u2022 Eric Davis \u2022 Alicia DeHart \u2022 Steve Downing \u2022 Sandra Doyle Wilson \u2022 Phillip Duncan \u2022 Yelena Dyachenko \u2022 Matt Edwards \u2022 Cheryl Engstrom \u2022 Juan Esparza \u2022 Oriana Estrada \u2022 Karen Jo Fairbrook \u2022 Elijah Fender \u2022 Jennifer Fetters \u2022 Jamie Gayden \u2022 Melissa Hammons \u2022 Dana Harris \u2022 Lisa Harris \u2022 Ariane Hayes \u2022 Anneke Hercules \u2022 Tyler Hersey \u2022 Vlasta Hillger \u2022 Varik Hoang \u2022 Alissa Hodson \u2022 Liz Hollerman \u2022 Sara Holznecht \u2022 Kris Hotchkiss \u2022  Darnita Howard \u2022 Rachel Hutto \u2022 Miki Ishihara \u2022 Meg Iyer \u2022 Humaira Jackson \u2022 John Jacobs \u2022 Danielle Jacobson \u2022 Alice Jenkins \u2022 Naomi Jones \u2022 Tim Jones \u2022 Alicia Keating Polson \u2022 Joshua Kienlen \u2022 Amy Kinsel \u2022 Leo Kiralla \u2022 Olga Krichevskaya \u2022 Joel Lamb \u2022 Jennifer Laveglia \u2022 Jean Lawler \u2022 Helton Leal \u2022 Deborah Leblang \u2022 Analisa Lembo \u2022 Sophie Leung \u2022 Winnie Li \u2022 Tim Linnemann \u2022 Sheila Lozan \u2022 Rick Mangan \u2022 Melissa Massie \u2022 Jennie Mayer \u2022 Michelle Mcauley \u2022 Nancy McEachran \u2022 Donna Miguel \u2022 Daniel Mitchell \u2022 Jessica Moller \u2022 Renee Nejo \u2022 Rod Pascual \u2022 Ilona Pitkanen \u2022 Kolin Poss \u2022 Naeim Rahmani \u2022 Hima Rami \u2022 Heather Rane \u2022 Keith Rowley \u2022 Travis Sage \u2022 Camille Sasson \u2022 Tyler Saxon \u2022 Greg Schmidt \u2022 Alexa Serrato \u2022 Jenny Severin \u2022 Nadia Sharafanovich \u2022 Changwon So \u2022 Paige Spicer \u2022 Winston Stauffer \u2022 Eric Stewart \u2022 Chace Stiehl \u2022 Yu-Ting Su \u2022 Amy Swanson \u2022 Caleb Teel \u2022 Pavy Thao \u2022 Corvilia Thykkuttathil \u2022 Renee Tinsley \u2022 Timothy Trammel \u2022 Kinh Tran \u2022 Leng Tong Vue \u2022 Ian Walker \u2022 Jin Wang \u2022 Cynthia Weintraub \u2022 Camee Wheat \u2022 Adrienne von Wolffersdorff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you know someone deserving of the BC Excellence Award? Learn about the nomination process<\/a> and how you can be involved in the nomination and selection of the next round of winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About Our Other Signature Programs<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our 2025-26 Faculty & Staff Excellence Award Winners Full-Time Faculty AwardLaura Nudelman, Communication Studies In her 40 years of service to Bellevue College, Laura Nudelman has been a steadfast supporter of student success and a dedicated member of the campus community. Over decades of dedication, she has served as program chair for three separate departments, ...more about BC Excellence Award Winners<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3261,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-28","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3261"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2396,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions\/2396"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/foundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}