Congratulations to our faculty colleagues whose teaching excellence was recognized by NMC students. If you haven’t heard yet, the Communications Area scored a double-double! 

Communication Instructor Kristen Salathiel is the recipient of the 2026 Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award for full-time faculty. Daniel Grim, also a Communications Instructor, is the 2026 recipient of the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award. 

Kristen is the lead teacher for EDU 100 College Success, where her dedication and innovation have helped many students establish a strong footing and a trusted mentor for their learning journey. She also teaches the development ENG 99/108 and ENG 111/11 courses. Kristen is the past director of CIE and has served the college in a number of other roles. 

Daniel is finishing his second year teaching English composition. His chair, Michael Anderson says students praise Daniel’s ability to be encouraging and explain academic writing in applicable ways. 

To learn more about these fine educators, be sure to attend the You Made It Possible employee recognition event on Wednesday, May 18, in the Hagerty Center. The event runs from 11 to 2.

CIE extends our appreciation to the many students who submitted nominations, as well as the students who volunteered to serve on the selection committee. Thanks also to Paul Kolak for facilitating the selection committee and CIE office manager Tracy Welsh for handling the logistics of the award process. Tracy wants you to know that she will send letters to the faculty who received nominations soon.