San Jacinto College Central names Outstanding Faculty for 2012-2013

 Jeannie Peng-Armao -- January 11, 2013

PASADENA, Texas – San Jacinto College Central Campus has named Janice Di Falco and Dr. Jerry Ivins as Outstanding Faculty for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Outstanding Faculty Award recipients are chosen by way of nominations by their fellow colleagues and a selection committee. The committee structure, as well as the selection of one nominee from each area, serves to acknowledge and balance differing perspectives and areas of content expertise.

Di Falco is in her 11th year at the College as a nursing professor, having taught previously at the Bachelor of Science in Nursing level. She began participating in the Distinguished Faculty Recognition Program in 2007 and is serving her third year as a Distinguished Faculty, Level 3, and peer review council member for the campus.

She is the course coordinator for medical/surgical nursing, chair of the testing committee and member of the community outreach program. She also leads numerous test preparation workshops at a variety of nursing schools, as well as serves as a legal nurse consultant.

"I am deeply honored to be nominated by my peers and then selected as a Central Campus Outstanding Faculty member," said Di Falco, who holds her associate degree in nursing from Galveston College, her bachelor's degree in nursing from University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and her master's degree in nursing at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UTMB. "I believe that as a teacher, we have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in our student's lives. To be recognized for what I truly value is a rewarding feeling."

In 2005, Di Falco received recognition as one of 20 Outstanding Nurses in Houston and surrounding areas by the Texas Nurses Association, District 9. She has also received Who's Who Among America's Teachers, was board certified as a cardiac rehabilitation nurse and is currently a board certified medical surgical nurse.

Ivins serves as the chair of fine arts and artistic director of theatre and film and is a Minnie Piper Outstanding Faculty Award Nominee this year. Currently in his 18th year at San Jacinto College, he has directed more than 300 films, commercials, and plays.

“This is truly an honor,” said Ivins, who holds an associate degree from Paris Junior College, a bachelor's degree and master's degree from the University of Houston, and a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University. “Given the quality of instruction that I have witnessed at San Jacinto College Central, I am humbled.”

Other college positions Ivins has held include chairman of the art and journalism departments and interim associate dean of fine arts and language arts. He has also served on the University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.) Committee on Academic and Production Standards, on the U.I.L. Administrative Committee, State Theatre Curriculum Committee, One Act Play Committee on Standards of Adjudication and Judging Practices, and served as the convention director for the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) TheatreFest in 2007 and 2009.

He is a member of the American College Theatre Festival, the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Southwest Theatre Association, the University Interscholastic League Adjudicator Organization, and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

As a theatre director, Ivins encourages active participation from his students each year through state and national events such as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and SkillsUSA.

About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

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