Melissa Downs Named Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty of the Year
Aaron Frey
Friday, May 14, 2021 1:22 PM
Athletics
Galesburg, IL
Melissa Downs has been named the 2021 Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year after students and fellow faculty members nominated her for her outstanding work in the classroom.
Downs was recognized as the winner Thursday during Sandburg’s 53rd annual Commencement. A 2014 alumna of Sandburg’s associate degree nursing program, Downs joined the College as an adjunct instructor in 2018, teaching licensed practical nursing (LPN), certified nursing assistant (CNA) and medical assisting courses.
After graduating from Sandburg, Downs earned her bachelor’s in science and nursing from Western Governors University in 2016. In addition to teaching at Sandburg, Downs is a medical surgical nurse and administrative supervisor at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg as well as a medical surgical nurse and charge nurse at Galesburg Cottage Hospital. Previously, she was director of nursing at Abingdon Care Center.
“Health care professionals like medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are in high demand, and I feel honored to help shape the professionals of the future,” Down said. “One of the proudest moments that I've had is working beside a former student and hearing the praise from coworkers of how great they are. I love that I am able to say that I was their instructor.”
Downs is a member of the Certified Nursing Assistant Educator Association and is part of Sandburg’s Medical Assistant Advisory Committee. She also assisted with the College’s recent accreditation process for its medical assisting program and has represented Sandburg at Galesburg High School’s Vocational Fair.
“She always goes above and beyond,” one person wrote in their nomination of Downs. “She is kind, compassionate and caring. Melissa is able to bring forward real-life examples to help the students understand what she is teaching. Melissa is a wonderful example of a passionate faculty member.”
“She goes above and beyond for her students' success in each course she teaches,” another nominator wrote. “She is open to trying new teaching methods in the classroom for her students. She is caring and compassionate about the classes she teaches. She collaborates with others and is an outstanding instructor.”
Melissa Downs
Carl Sandburg College Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Recipients
- 2021 — Melissa Downs
- 2020 — Debra Florio
- 2019 — Ginny Knox
- 2018 — Stephen Jackson
- 2017 — Kelly Wallenfelsz
- 2016 — Rex Beetner
- 2015 — Amanda Nichols
- 2014 — Paul Marasa
- 2013 — Sue Scott
- 2012 — Jena Linkin
- 2011 — Kim King
- 2010 — Candy Bryant
- 2009 — Sue Scott
- 2008 — Julie Van Fleet
- 2007 — Eric Alai
- 2006 — Kirk Watson
- 2005 — Jeff Gomer
- 2004 — Lisa Petentler
- 2003 — Kathleen Karns
- 2002 — Judy Boynton
- 2001 — Marla Tourlentes
- 2000 — Jerry Baker
- 1999 — Jon Larson
- 1998 — Marla Garrison
- 1997 — Marg Baldridge