Professor of the Year

The coordinator of Camden County College’s Computer Graphics Program has been named 2005 New Jersey Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

Phyllis Owens of Blackwood and 41 other state-level winners were selected from the nearly 400 candidates nominated by two- and four-year colleges and universities throughout the United States and its territories. They were honored along with four national-level winners during an awards luncheon and an evening reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Professors of the Year Program has been saluting outstanding undergraduate instructors since 1981. Winners are known for exceling as teachers, influencing the lives and careers of their students and pursuing innovation on behalf of their institutions

Owens’ nomination was made by Camden County College President Phyllis Della Vecchia and supported by testimonials from colleagues and former students. All of them cited the extraordinary dedication to the teaching profession that Owens displays both inside and outside the classroom, noting her impact on and involvement with students, her scholarly approach to instruction and her contributions to Camden County College and the community.

Among the many accomplishments that Owens has made during her 15 years at CCC include implementing the first associate’s degree program in video game design and development in the United States. She also was responsible for the college’s receipt of a Microsoft Working Connections grant that provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding and software to enhance information technology offerings.

In addition, Owens has served as an advisor to faculty at the University of New Mexico through the national MentorLinks Program. She also has played key roles in a Camden County-sponsored program for senior citizens to learn computer skills and in a computer-based enrichment program for college-bound youngsters in the City of Camden.

Owens was selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2004 David R. Pierce Faculty Technology Award, which is presented by the American Association of Community Colleges and Cisco Systems. Her other achievements include completion of the Chair Academy for Leadership Training and Development.

Owens holds an associate’s degree from Camden County College, a bachelor’s degree from Moore College of Art and Design and a master’s degree from Drexel University. She is working toward her doctorate through Cappella University.

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Author: Press Release-CCC