A survey of 572 community college faculty and staff who received the NISOD Excellence Award found that recipients highly valued the recognition. The award made them feel acknowledged, appreciated, honored, and proud. It also validated their work and felt incredibly special. The survey confirmed that the NISOD Excellence Award is an important form of recognition for outstanding work at community, technical, and junior colleges.

1. What Can Community Colleges
Learn from Recognizing Excellence?
Summary of Survey Research Findings
Lawrence G. Miller, Heather L. Elias & Tina M. Jackson
University of Texas at Austin

2. The Study
• For over 20 year, the national Institute for Staff &
Organizational Development (NISOD) has
recognized excellence in community college
faculty & staff with a medallion and ceremony at
our annual conference
• In December, 2012, a survey was distributed to
Excellence Award recipients – 572 completed
• Overall response confirmed the value of NISOD
EA as recognition for their work at
community, technical & junior colleges

9. 28 Most Important Words & Phrases: Describe
how you felt when you received your NISOD
Excellence Award medallion
Acknowledged Amazed Appreciated Attended the
Conference Austin Award Elated Excited Extremely Great
Honor Humbled
Honored and Validated Meant NISOD
Incredibly Honored Never Heard
Conference Overwhelmed Pleased Pride Proud Received
Recognition Recognized SpecialSurprised Think
Valued Wonderful

10. Follow Up? Contact Us
• Larry Miller
• Director, National Institute for Staff & Organizational
Development, Collges of Education, University of Texas
• director@nisod.org
• Heather Elias
• Doctoral Student, Community College
Leadership, University of Texas
• Tina M. Jackson
• Doctoral Student, Community College
Leadership, University of Texas
• tmjackson@utexas.edu