JJC Announces 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients

The Joliet Junior College Center for Excellence announces Tammy Miller and Nancy Gallman-Witzke as JJC’s 2023 Outstanding Faculty Member Award winners. Miller receives the full-time faculty member award as an agriculture professor while Gallman-Witzke receives the adjunct faculty award as an instructor in the English department. 

Both have been submitted for consideration to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) outstanding faculty awards.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to be chosen as JJC’s outstanding full-time faculty member for 2022-23, especially given the caliber of the JJC faculty,” Miller said. “It is a privilege to work alongside the JJC faculty — especially my colleagues in the agricultural, horticultural and veterinary sciences department — in helping students be successful and prepare for their future.” 

Gallman-Witzke further praised JJC’s faculty and students. 

“Being recognized for work as an adjunct English instructor at JJC has blessed and encouraged me,” Gallman-Witzke said. “The faculty award truly reflects the vision and efforts of the team more than the individual: I am beyond grateful for working with so many incredible students, co-workers and leaders who have inspired, collaborated with and supported me throughout the years.” 

Both faculty members have gone above and beyond to best serve students. 

According to agricultural, horticultural and veterinary sciences department chair Brad Angus, Miller was one of the first to adopt and develop online and hybrid courses at JJC, teaching courses in this format for over 20 years. Through that innovation, Miller has been able to accommodate and teach more students — helping to increase enrollment. 

Miller’s familiarity and expertise with online teaching — which includes a master online teacher certificate from the University of Illinois — were essential as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the format of courses. 

Meanwhile Gallman-Witzke has shown commitment to student service and success by exceeding expectations. 

As an adjunct instructor, Gallman-Witzke is not required to have office hours but is known to meet with students individually to assist them. In addition, Gallman-Witzke is at JJC’s Tutoring and Learning Center three days a week to assist students in English, test preparation, study skills, communication and more. 

For both faculty members, the award reminds them why they do what they do — or rather, whom they do it for: students. 

“Receiving this award reminds me that as an educator I am making a difference in the lives of JJC students and my fellow colleagues,” Miller said. “The award motivates me to continue to seek ways to best serve the students, especially the agriculture and horticulture students, at JJC to assist them in achieving their career and life goals.” 

“This award reminds me to keep listening and learning, keep adjusting and innovating despite educational challenges and changes and to keep viewing learning through my students' eyes so I can be there for them,” Gallman-Witzke said. 

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Manager Katie Smith at 815-280-2844 or katherine.smith@jjc.edu.