The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Board of Regents for Higher Education recognized Housatonic Community College (HCC) Assistant Professor Kristen Carley with two Excellence in Teaching awards. Carley is among eighteen CSCU distinguished faculty members named as recipients of the annual 2019–20 Board of Regents Faculty Awards.
Carley, who has taught English at HCC since 2009, was chosen from faculty members throughout the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities across the state to be honored with the System-Wide Board of Regents Teaching Award. Additionally, she was recognized with the campus-based Excellence in Teaching Award for differentiating herself as an exceptional college professor at HCC.
In addition to her work as a full-time professor in HCC’s Humanities Department teaching foundation English classes, Carley also serves as the college’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) Coordinator, a program she helped to establish. Today she also sits on the Northeast Regional Supplemental Instruction Committee that provides opportunities to share best practices, research, and experiences working with the SI Model.
“I’m grateful for this acknowledgment,” said Carley. “In the classroom I actively engage the learner so they can own their learning journey. My expectations are high, and I’m there to help navigate as they build their effective communication and critical thinking skills. I do my best to help them succeed.”
Recognizing that community college students are often working multiple jobs and juggling family responsibilities in addition to attending school, Carley’s teaching approach is to create an ‘accessible partnership’ that extends beyond the classroom and regular office hours.
“Because of our community of learners, I make myself accessible,” said Carley. “Their schedules are busy, and this is a partnership; they know they can reach me if they need help.”
“Professor Carley has distinguished herself as an outstanding member of the HCC faculty team,” said Dr. Thomas G. Coley, Acting President Housatonic Community College and Regional President, CSCU Shoreline-West. “Her impact on students is changing lives, and we’re thrilled that she received this deserved recognition.”
Serving southern Connecticut for over 50 years, Housatonic Community College (HCC) offers a student-centered, high quality and accessible education through more than 75 majors and degree programs to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The college also offers occupational certificate programs, and the non-credit division partners with local business and industry to offer workforce training and customized professional development. HCC is distinguished as an Achieving the Dream Leader Institution and is ranked by the Aspen Institute among the nation’s top 150 community colleges.