Jessica Clark and Kendra Santana won the English 101 Essay Contest. Pictured is Santana with Professor Brad Summerhill.
Students Win Essay Contest in English 101
Students in Brad Summerhill’s Fall Semester English 101 classes submitted essays to the “Best Essay Contest” sponsored by their professor.
The essays were evaluated by fellow students to determine the winners. Winning written pieces were announced on Dec. 15. The top-placing writers chose from a selection of clever or witty T-shirts.
Jessica Clark won for “Values versus Behavior.” Clark chose a T-shirt with a South Park meme (saying with an image) of “I’m sorry, I thought this was America.”
Kendra Santana won for “Diffusion of responsibility: How pointing the finger could cost you.” She selected a T-shirt with a chicken nugget illustration. The caption was “Nugs! Not Drugs.”
For more information about studying English, composition, literature, poetry, writing and communications at TMCC, please call 775-673-7092.
Political Science Instructor Lisa Krasner: Volunteer and Leader in Nevada
“As an instructor, I try to inspire the students—I inspire them to do great things with their lives and dream big,” said Lisa Krasner, J.D., Political Science Instructor at TMCC. “I remind them that they can be anything they want to be, so long as they are willing to work hard.”
Krasner has been teaching at TMCC for about four years and in November was elected to serve as Assemblywoman for Nevada Assembly District 26. She hopes to teach by setting the example of dreaming big and giving back through service.
“I believe it’s important to be actively involved in our community through service and volunteer work to improve our community and help make it stronger and better for everyone that lives here,” she said.
Krasner has put her beliefs to work, volunteering in positions on the local and state level including, but not limited to the following:
- Junior League of Reno
- PTA Board member at the local and state level
- Commissioner for the State of Nevada Commission on Aging
- Commissioner for the City of Reno’s Recreation and Parks Commission
- Reno Philharmonic Association Board of Trustees
“I love teaching in the Political Science Department because I get to discuss the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence with the students,” she said. “I remind them that our Founding Fathers created our Constitution for them, and that it is their government. Their duty is to be informed and aware of what is going on in our community, our state and our country. They must vote in elections so that their voice will be heard.”
Krasner wants to work together and learn with young generations now coming of age.
“Teaching at the college level is a joy because I get to interact with the students and listen to their opinions and ideas,” she said. “I love teaching at Truckee Meadows Community College. The people here are wonderful.”
Karin Hilgersom is Named to RGJ’s 10 People to Watch
The Reno Gazette-Journal has chosen TMCC’s President Karin Hilgersom, PhD as one of their "10 to Watch" in 2017.
The newspaper cited Dr. Hilgersom’s enthusiasm for higher education. It also noted that community college topics would be an area of focus during the 2017 legislative session.
“She will advocate for TMCC, one of the state’s community colleges expected to have a big impact on training a workforce for a growing Nevada economy including at companies such as Tesla,” wrote Siobhan McAndrew, Higher Education reporter for the RGJ.
Hilgersom’s “words to live by” include support of student success and mentorship of faculty.
“Whether those students are coming to us to gain skills for new employment or to prepare for transfer by starting at TMCC, we value each and every one of these students,” said Hilgersom to McAndrew in the RGJ article. “They have put their faith in TMCC to help them achieve their personal goals. The excellent work of TMCC faculty and staff is transformative.”
Each year, the Journal selects 10 from the community who are leading in a positive and impactful way. Articles are written about the honorees' goals and ideals, and how they are developing the health and vitality of the community.
For more information about Dr. Hilgersom and the “10 to Watch” selections, visit the TMCC President’s Office and search RGJ for "10 to watch".
Contributions to TMCC Good News are Welcome
Additional contributions for good news are welcome. If you have an achievement, volunteer experience or award to share with the TMCC community, please let us know.