Meet the 2024 Faculty Conference Scholarship Recipients
Heather Elmatti
Associate Professor
Speech/Communication
Lake-Sumter State College
Why do you teach?
My philosophy of teaching begins with the premise that the purpose of education is to teach students how to think rather than what to think. I strive to inspire my students to be lifelong learners, seeing education and learning not as just the means to a degree, but also as a model for life. I love helping students get out of their comfort zones while helping them overcome fears and challenges. Teaching public speaking provides great opportunities to do this. I get to take my background in experiential and adventure education and put it to use through service learning, community building, and problem-solving activities in the classroom. It is exciting to create a supportive environment that helps students increase their confidence and skills.
Why are you excited to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence?
I have always wanted to attend. Colleagues have told me how the conference is a great opportunity to learn more about educational trends specifically related to the community college setting. I am looking forward to connecting with other faculty and educators from around the U.S. I currently serve as the Lead Faculty for the speech department. We have grown significantly over the past few years and are looking at expanding course offerings and making our online courses more interactive and engaging. I hoping to learn more about best practices and teaching innovations to help my fellow faculty better serve and connect with our students.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
Besides being a professor, I help run a non-profit that facilitates outdoor adventure and backpacking programs for young people focused on personal and spiritual development.
Yulonda Griffin
Adjunct Instructor
Business and Human Services
Delgado Community College
Why do you teach?
I teach because I believe learning is the tool humans can use to continually evolve, and it is the one thing no one can take away. Information is powerful. I love receiving and sharing information to put into applications. Although I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences, I enjoy listening to my students’ ideas on how they will use what they learned to accomplish their goals in life. Above all, I love hearing my students say, “I did it, Dr. G; I did it”!
Why are you excited to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence?
I am looking forward to connecting with other teachers to gain innovative ideas for direct and interactive learning. This will be my first time attending the NISOD conference, and I cannot wait to learn from instructors who have contributed so much to the industry of education. In addition, this is a dream come true for an amateur like me; it is a milestone that I thought would take a while. Thanks, NISOD, for allowing me to be a part of such an influential event with leaders in the education industry.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I love true stories and unplanned excursions.
Jillian Noel
Faculty, Criminal Justice
Germanna Community College
Why do you teach?
I teach because I’m passionate about shattering stereotypes and showing students the vast possibilities within criminal justice. I love using technology to ignite curiosity and explore this dynamic field. Many students only see patrol officers, but criminal justice offers diverse career paths. My goal is to show them, regardless of background or experience (volunteer work or student clubs can be stepping stones!), that they can contribute meaningfully. Attending the NISOD conference will equip me with even more strategies to engage and retain these future leaders. They deserve the education and skills to succeed, and I want to be the best teacher I can be to empower them. This year’s conference is particularly exciting—sessions on AI technology, building student engagement specifically within community colleges (which is so valuable for our student population!), and even bridging success internationally really resonate with me. Building international contacts at NISOD is another key goal. I’m hoping to collaborate with colleagues and students to create a research project with a global perspective. This would be an incredible opportunity to broaden our students’ horizons and contribute to the field in a meaningful way.
Why are you excited to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence?
I’m thrilled to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence! This is my first time at a NISOD conference, and I’m eager to learn from renowned educators and explore innovative teaching strategies. The sessions on building international contacts without leaving your campus, AI technology, and student engagement particularly resonate with my desire to improve my criminal justice curriculum. Of course, experiencing San Antonio, including the iconic River Walk, will be a wonderful bonus!
Tell us a fun fact about you.
Even though I have a fear of heights, I conquered my nerves and went zip-lining in Costa Rica! Talk about facing your fears and enjoying the view….with your eyes closed!
Tonya Parham
Adjunct Faculty, History/Instructional Technology
Jackson State Community College
Why do you teach?
As a lifelong learner, teaching allows me to learn from others while modeling one of my core values,
Why are you excited to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence?
I’m excited because I had so much fun learning new things at last year’s conference and I feel like now that I know what to expect, I can better pace myself to take in all the learning opportunities at hand.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I am blue yellow colorblind (tritanopia), the rarest form of colorblindness.
Tony Smith
Associate Professor/Department Head, Business
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Why do you teach?
I have a long career in business (accounting, finance, sales, and recruiting) that I want to impart to my students. I also enjoy watching my students flourish in college.
Why are you excited to attend the 2024 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence?
I am excited to meet other college professors to share ideas. I am also looking forward to learning about new teaching strategies and online technology tools. Finally, I have not been to an onsite conference since pre-COVID!
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I really enjoy cooking and eating international foods such as Indian, Asian, and Hispanic. We used to have a place in Belize where we enjoyed sailing and visiting the amazing Mayan sites.
