Lincoln Land Community College has named Michelle Coakes of Taylorville, professor of art, and Debra (Dee) Krueger of Taylorville, assistant director, LLCC-Taylorville, as the college’s winners of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award.

They were selected for the honor by a committee of LLCC employees.

Coakes joined LLCC in 2002. In addition to teaching art and ceramics classes, she serves as advisor to the LLCC Ceramics Club, which holds twice-yearly sales of student works to benefit charities and send students to professional conferences. She is a former Faculty Senate president, Faculty Association treasurer and assessment coordinator for the Arts and Humanities department. She holds bachelor and master of fine arts degrees and a master of arts degree, all from Northern Illinois University.

Krueger has worked at LLCC-Taylorville since 1992. Her current duties include academic advising and supervising student admissions, career counseling, dual credit, student orientation, recruiting and peer tutoring at the LLCC-Taylorville location. She is also an online instructor. She won the Distinguished Service Award for professional employees in 2012. She holds an associate degree from LLCC and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield. 

Since 1978, NISOD has been dedicated to the professional development of faculty, administrators and staff, and to the continued improvement of teaching and learning. More than 700 two-year colleges around the world are members of NISOD.  

Since 1978, NISOD has been dedicated to the professional development of faculty, administrators and staff, and to the continued improvement of teaching and learning. More than 700 two-year colleges around the world are members of NISOD.