The
Association for the Tutoring Profession (ATP) will be awarding the
Center for Students with Disabilities the 2007 Outstanding Program
of the Year Award at an annual conference in Orlando, Florida in April.
Jan Lockhart, director of the Center for Students with Disabilities
(CSD), was informed of the award on Feb. 14. 
Top
L-R: Joyce Whiteside, Alma Herrera, Marisela Lujan, Carmen Attar,
Maria E. Lopez, Carmen Mendoza, Cathy Lucero, Amanda Marquez, Chris
Garcia. Bottom L-R: Sandra Rodriguez, Jan Lockhart, Michelle Adjemian.
Photo by Meagan O'Toole Pitts
The
ATP is a national association which tutors and tutor trainers receive
professional certification. The ATP hosts workshops and an annual
conference in which association members elect a recipient for the
Outstanding Program of the Year Award.
The CSD is now being honored for its model program here at EPCC.
“When I learned about the program, I realized we were doing
the same things as other colleges and more, so I thought we should
be nominated,” said instructor Joyce Whiteside. Along with an
application for the award, the CSD sent the ATP an 18-page book containing
the CSD mission, goals, objectives, code of honor, partnerships with
community agencies and campus departments and El Conquistador articles
and student evaluations of the CSD.
Also sent were staff awards such as Whiteside’s recent 2006
Excellence Award from The National Institute for Staff and Organizational
Development.
“We also sent a CD with our programs used to teach tutors, all
our staff orientation material, and the do’s and do nots when
meeting a person with disabilities,” said Whiteside.
After gaining such recognition on a first try, CSD hopes other programs
will follow their lead next year and expects to leave a lasting mark
on students.
“This will encourage students to come take the program and accomplish
their dreams,” said Whiteside.
Deaf education major Belen Urias twas happy for the award. “I
think the CSD will get more recognition,” he said. “I
am very happy.”
“I don’t think the pride is limited to students with disabilities,”
said Whiteside. “I think this is an accomplishment for all of
EPCC and for El Paso.
“I feel fortunate to work in a place with such genuine concern
for the students’ success,” she said.
