NCHC Ron Brandolini Award for Excellence at a Two-Year Institution

This award, presented by NCHC and the Valencia College Foundation, recognizes a two-year college honors director or faculty member for their outstanding contributions to the honors community. The selected winner will receive $500, along with an engraved plaque. The award will be presented at the NCHC Annual Conference.

Ron Brandolini, who passed away on June 27, 2012, was the founding director of Valencia College’s honors program in the 1980s, serving in that capacity for 20 years. During that time he recruited top students and teachers for the program, elevating the program’s stature throughout the country. Ron was a frequent presenter at NCHC conferences and a session leader for Beginning in Honors for many years. He served on the Executive Committee and the Two-Year College Committee as well as serving on the conference planning committee for at least five years. Ron also served as the president of the Florida Collegiate Honors Council.

Please complete the application below to nominate an outstanding honors director or honors faculty member for the NCHC Ron Brandolini Award. The application requires detail about contributions to teaching in honors and involvement in honors beyond the home institution. A total of three letters of support, from the applicant’s institution as well as faculty colleagues or students, are required.

Please consider applying or nominating a deserving honors educator. NCHC is committed to recognizing our two-year college colleagues who strengthen honors education.

2022 Winner

Dr. Ryan Diehl, Hutchinson Community College

Ryan Diehl, Director of Honors and recognized by Hutchinson Community College twice as the Educator of the Year, has been named this year’s Ron Brandolini award winner.

A leader in local, regional and national honors, Diehl shares his passion for the honors community through mentorship, committee leadership, and conference facilitation. His nominators referenced his ability to include them in numerous projects, maintaining connections and communications with other two-year college directors during the pandemic, at a time when many other social opportunities were interrupted.

Diehl’s commitment to honors and the success of his students is represented in his own body of research. Diehl recently completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Higher Education, where his dissertation examined how honors programs at two-year institutions can provide a pathway to success for first generation students.

Please join us in Dallas to recognize Dr. Ryan Diehl, recipient of the 2022 Ron Brandolini Award for Excellence at a Two-Year Institution.

SEE PAST WINNERS

2023 Nominations open March 1, 2023 and close June 15, 2023.

Applications will be available via the form below or at this link.