Adjunct of the Year Recipients
2012 - Mrs. Agnes Tirrito |
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Agnes Tirrito is a Master Teacher for fourth grade at the Texarkana Independent School District’s Professional Development School, where she also mentors teacher interns. She is an adjunct faculty member at Texas A & M University-Texarkana where she teaches classes in English, Elementary Education, and Special Education. She has 29 years of teaching experience in grades one, two, three, four, and special education and has been an adjunct faculty member at TAMU-T since 2001. Mrs. Tirrito has presented workshops in the areas of writing, reading, math, and the arts at the campus, district, and regional level as well as for the university. She is the recipient of several educational grants. She was the 2002-03 Regional VIII Teacher of the Year in Texas.
2013 - Ms. Michelle Giles |
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Michelle Giles is a Lecturer in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Technology at University of Houston – Clear Lake. Before starting full time this Fall she worked as an adjunct for eight years with the university. She teaches undergraduate courses in instructional technology. Ms. Giles has designed, developed and taught several courses, including the following: Survey of Instructional Technology and eLearning. Ms. Giles has worked with many faculty members on design and development of online and web-enhanced courses in her previous job at University of St. Thomas. Ms. Giles has a Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. At present Ms. Giles is currently working on her Ph.D. in Educational Computing at the University of North Texas. Her current interest in research includes recruitment and retention of online faculty and students, learning styles and the effects on distance education, and the use of mobile technology and educational applications.
2014 - Dr. Vimlarani Chopra |
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Dr. Vimlarani Chopra has taught a number of courses in biology, microbiology, endocrinology, pathobiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology at Mumbai University, India, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of Houston, Downtown, and various Community Colleges for last 30 years. She received her doctorate in Microbiology from The Bombay University in 1982 and conducted her postdoctoral research at Kurume University, Japan, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. An excellent writer, teacher as well as researcher, she had funding from various national organizations including NASA, ATP, NSBRI, etc. and has worked in various capacities in her research career. She has been invited by various organizations and Universities to give talks in Biotechnology, Bioastronautics, and Nanotechnology in US and abroad, including International Space University, France in the fields of tumor biology, microbiology, space biology, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Since 2005 she has been teaching biological sciences (BIOL 1308, 1311, 1322, 1406, 1407, 2305, 2401, 2420) at various Community Colleges as Adjunct Faculty. She has been an active member of the scientific and educational community, with memberships in a number of professional organizations. As a biology instructor at the community college, she believes that all students should develop "biology literacy". Her objective is to provide students with a solid background so they may continue their studies in biology or health-related fields. Dr. Chopra is dedicated to bridging the gap between the academic and business worlds and continuing her educational endeavors.
2016 = Dr. Shaan Shahabuddin |
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Shaan Shahabuddin is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Blinn College and has been teaching part-time since August 2014. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University, his M.A in Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Agricultural Leadership from Texas A&M University. He currently serves as a voluntary faculty advisor for the Psychology Club at Blinn College and also assists in mentoring undergraduate students with research projects. Shaan plans to receive his Ph.D. in 2017 and intends to acquire a job as an Assistant Professor.
2017 - Dr. Remberto Jimenez
Remberto Jimenez is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Mildred Elley in New York. He has been a member of their faculty since 2012 teaching courses on Quantitative Literacy, Principals of Digital Literacy, Freshman Seminar, and Career Counseling among others. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from New Jersey City University, a M.A. in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University, a Post-Masters Certificate in Educational Technology/Digital Media for the Design of Learning from New York University, and he is currently pursuing his PhD in Educational Technology Leadership from New Jersey City University. Rem is currently the Manager of Learning and Development at Clear Channel Outdoor.
2019 - Dr. Lonzetta Smith-Allen |
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Dr. Smith-Allen is an adjunct instructor of Psychology at Hill College. The following is an excerpt from her nomination letter: "She has great knowledge of the subject matter content, verbalizes the message well, facilitates, and is a great listener to the students. Her students all highly participate in her classes during the semester through power point presentations and other engagement-oriented activities. Dr. Allen is a very caring person who gets to know the individual students and helps them in discovering themselves as to their strengths and personality traits. She helps them as people, and is always there for them. If there is a way she can personally help someone, she always does, yet never fails to not violate the instructor-student relationship.
Dr. Allen is a very active church member, is heavily involved with the Alumni Association at Wylie College in Marshall, Texas, and works with high school age youth in connecting them on university visits, as they try to find out what will be the best situation for them, both academically and scholarship-wise. Dr. Allen always welcomes opportunities to learn and improve herself as an Instructor. She has been a long-time member of the Everman, Texas ISD School Board. She is a wonderful, caring human being who is grounded with a high moral make-up. I can't think of a more deserving person to get an award such as this.”
Dr. Allen is a very active church member, is heavily involved with the Alumni Association at Wylie College in Marshall, Texas, and works with high school age youth in connecting them on university visits, as they try to find out what will be the best situation for them, both academically and scholarship-wise. Dr. Allen always welcomes opportunities to learn and improve herself as an Instructor. She has been a long-time member of the Everman, Texas ISD School Board. She is a wonderful, caring human being who is grounded with a high moral make-up. I can't think of a more deserving person to get an award such as this.”
2022 - Lissa M. Doiron |
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Professor Lissa Doiron is currently an Adjunct and Dual Credit Professor of History teaching HIST 1301 and 1302. While she began her training in the field of Public History working at The Alamo and Sam Houston Memorial Museum, her career took a 20-year detour to Commercial and Corporate Real Estate. A shift in employment found the opportunity to return to the field of history and she began teaching at Lone Star College- North Harris in January 2020.
Professor Doiron earned an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Liberal Arts degree in History from the University of St. Thomas-Houston. In her spare time, she holds a second job as a pet sitter and dog walker and enjoys visiting the national parks and historic sites throughout the United States.
Professor Doiron earned an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Liberal Arts degree in History from the University of St. Thomas-Houston. In her spare time, she holds a second job as a pet sitter and dog walker and enjoys visiting the national parks and historic sites throughout the United States.
2023 - Cruz Imelda Wicks |
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Cruz Imelda Wicks is a global diversity and inclusion leader with a demonstrated history of approximately 20 years working in human
resources, higher education, non-profit organizations, and healthcare industry. She is skilled in creating strategies to advance a culture of inclusion at all levels of the organization, Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), developing strategies to recruit and retain diverse groups, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Diversity Council, cultural training & creating DEI curriculum, marketing strategies, and management.
The chapter she wrote on best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion was recently featured in the book “Talent Development and Training in Healthcare Handbook” for healthcare practitioners and I have appeared as a DEI speaker and panelist for national
organizations. As a national leader in diversity some of the recognitions received for diversity efforts include, but not limited to: 2019 -2022 Forbes Best Employers for Diversity, 2020 – 2022 Forbes Best Employers for Women, 2020 – 2022 Top Performer in the
Healthcare Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign, 2020 - 2022 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion, 2020 - 2022 Diversity Impact Award TM for Top 10 Enterprise-Level ERG category and 2021 & 2022 Diversity Impact Award for Top 25 Employee Resource Groups in the Nation – Organization for Women.
Prior to moving to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Imelda worked at Lamar University as their founding Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusive Excellence, and Training. She is credited with establishing the institution’s first diversity and inclusion strategic plan, cultural competence training program, and a variety of initiatives and events geared to highlight the positive contributions of underrepresented and underserved groups. She also worked as the Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where she was responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the newly established Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She is credited with launching UTMB's first employee resource group (ERG), first Veterans Day luncheon, creating the first train-the-trainer diversity training program, leading the UTMB Diversity Council and Employee Resource Groups, and managing the
institution's Affirmative Action Plan (AAP). Prior to her employment at UTMB, she worked at the University of Houston – Clear Lake in the Office of Intercultural and International Services and at the University of Texas at Brownsville. She has lectured across the country at regional, local, and national conferences on various topics related to cross-culture and diversity, equity and inclusion. Imelda received a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Texas at Brownsville, a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Studies from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and has certifications in inclusive leadership, cultural intelligence trainer, mediation, and
affirmative action plan (AAP).
resources, higher education, non-profit organizations, and healthcare industry. She is skilled in creating strategies to advance a culture of inclusion at all levels of the organization, Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), developing strategies to recruit and retain diverse groups, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Diversity Council, cultural training & creating DEI curriculum, marketing strategies, and management.
The chapter she wrote on best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion was recently featured in the book “Talent Development and Training in Healthcare Handbook” for healthcare practitioners and I have appeared as a DEI speaker and panelist for national
organizations. As a national leader in diversity some of the recognitions received for diversity efforts include, but not limited to: 2019 -2022 Forbes Best Employers for Diversity, 2020 – 2022 Forbes Best Employers for Women, 2020 – 2022 Top Performer in the
Healthcare Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign, 2020 - 2022 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion, 2020 - 2022 Diversity Impact Award TM for Top 10 Enterprise-Level ERG category and 2021 & 2022 Diversity Impact Award for Top 25 Employee Resource Groups in the Nation – Organization for Women.
Prior to moving to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Imelda worked at Lamar University as their founding Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusive Excellence, and Training. She is credited with establishing the institution’s first diversity and inclusion strategic plan, cultural competence training program, and a variety of initiatives and events geared to highlight the positive contributions of underrepresented and underserved groups. She also worked as the Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where she was responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the newly established Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She is credited with launching UTMB's first employee resource group (ERG), first Veterans Day luncheon, creating the first train-the-trainer diversity training program, leading the UTMB Diversity Council and Employee Resource Groups, and managing the
institution's Affirmative Action Plan (AAP). Prior to her employment at UTMB, she worked at the University of Houston – Clear Lake in the Office of Intercultural and International Services and at the University of Texas at Brownsville. She has lectured across the country at regional, local, and national conferences on various topics related to cross-culture and diversity, equity and inclusion. Imelda received a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Texas at Brownsville, a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Studies from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and has certifications in inclusive leadership, cultural intelligence trainer, mediation, and
affirmative action plan (AAP).
2024 - Joycelyn Franklin |
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Joycelyn Franklin, a 1972 honor graduate of Marshall High School in Marshall, Texas, matriculated at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Physiology (1975) and a Master's in Public Administration (1980). She is a doctoral student in Public Administration at The University of Texas in Arlington, Texas (2024). She has been an adjunct professor of government for 22 years. Her teaching career began in 2002 at Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Government Professor at Cedar Valley College and Collin College and has taught at
Texas A&M at Commerce, Commerce, TX, and the LeCroy Center, Dallas, TX. Professor Franklin’s teaching philosophy is “teach government (representative democracy) with passion to impact the next generation of leaders because our lives depend on it.”
Having retired from the City of Dallas after 33 years of public service, she is the Executive Director of Robert Works, a nonprofit that establishes nonprofits and provides educational training for nonprofit personnel, and a grant writer. She is a community volunteer and Deputy Voter Registrar with the Dallas County Election Department.
Some of Joycelyn’s past and current honors and community involvements include past president of the following organizations: (1) The North Central Texas Conference of Minority Public Administrators, (2) Lala Everitt Unit of Parliamentarians, and (3) PTA (Dallas Independent School District-DISD); past parliamentarian for (1) PTA (DISD), (2) The Urban Management Association of North Texas, (3) The National Forum for Black Public Administrators; (4) City of Dallas, Community Development Advisory Committee; past parliamentary trainer for City of Dallas Police Department and Boards and Commissions; past DISD School Volunteer Award
Recipient; Presenter, 19 th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference; member, Best Southwest Regional Certified Emergency Response Team; Leadership Southwest Class of 2008; past member of Dallas County Ryan White Planning Council; member of Texas Homeless Network; member of The National Association of Parliamentarians.
Joycelyn is a Certified Mediator, certified in Nonprofit Management; holds a lifetime Secondary Teacher Certification; coordinator of the C.A.W. Clark Legal Clinic (a free legal clinic for the Dallas community); member of Pi Alpha Alpha, International Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration; President Emeritus of the Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and a 50-year member of Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority.
She is married to Mr. Donnel Franklin and has two adult children and five grandsons.
Texas A&M at Commerce, Commerce, TX, and the LeCroy Center, Dallas, TX. Professor Franklin’s teaching philosophy is “teach government (representative democracy) with passion to impact the next generation of leaders because our lives depend on it.”
Having retired from the City of Dallas after 33 years of public service, she is the Executive Director of Robert Works, a nonprofit that establishes nonprofits and provides educational training for nonprofit personnel, and a grant writer. She is a community volunteer and Deputy Voter Registrar with the Dallas County Election Department.
Some of Joycelyn’s past and current honors and community involvements include past president of the following organizations: (1) The North Central Texas Conference of Minority Public Administrators, (2) Lala Everitt Unit of Parliamentarians, and (3) PTA (Dallas Independent School District-DISD); past parliamentarian for (1) PTA (DISD), (2) The Urban Management Association of North Texas, (3) The National Forum for Black Public Administrators; (4) City of Dallas, Community Development Advisory Committee; past parliamentary trainer for City of Dallas Police Department and Boards and Commissions; past DISD School Volunteer Award
Recipient; Presenter, 19 th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference; member, Best Southwest Regional Certified Emergency Response Team; Leadership Southwest Class of 2008; past member of Dallas County Ryan White Planning Council; member of Texas Homeless Network; member of The National Association of Parliamentarians.
Joycelyn is a Certified Mediator, certified in Nonprofit Management; holds a lifetime Secondary Teacher Certification; coordinator of the C.A.W. Clark Legal Clinic (a free legal clinic for the Dallas community); member of Pi Alpha Alpha, International Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration; President Emeritus of the Southwest Dallas County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and a 50-year member of Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority.
She is married to Mr. Donnel Franklin and has two adult children and five grandsons.
