SANFORD - Robert Powell, Chair of Justice Studies and Director of Basic Law Enforcement Training, has been selected as Central Carolina Community College's Faculty Member of the Year for 2014-2015.

Powell is the college's nominee for the North Carolina Community College System's 2015 Excellence In Teaching Award.

"Mr. Powell has emphasized LIP (Loyalty, Integrity, and Pride) with his students, and he exhibits those same traits each day in his work at the college," said CCCC President Dr. Bud Marchant. "His passion and dedication have led to an excellence within his department, not to mention a solid reputation for facilitating student success."

In 2007, Powell learned that CCCC's state licensure results were one of the lowest in North Carolina. He led specific actions to improve those rates as by the end of seven years, CCCC's average passing rate increased to 97%, while the state average dropped to 84%.

Powell's efforts also led to creation of a new student resource library and the incorporation of a Firearms Training Simulator into the BLET program.

Daisha Gaines, CCCC's Associate Director of Human Resources, says that Powell was nominated and selected by his colleagues. "Mr. Powell exemplifies what it means to be devoted not only to our college, but also to the students we serve," says Gaines.

Powell said his first thought when he learned of the award was that he is most fortunate to work with such distinguished faculty and wonderful students. "This could not have happened without Brenda Keller making me aware of the state test results years ago; without my Qualified Assistants (Lt. Kenny Lee and Gary Blankenship) coming up with ideas on how to make the program better; and without Linda Scuiletti (CCCC Associate Vice President of Student Learning and Strategic Planning) recognizing and promoting the improvements made in BLET.

"A special thanks needs to go to my administrative assistant, Sandra Bachelor, who keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly so that I can focus on the cadets," Powell said. "Most importantly, a shout out to my students, who show the heart and tenacity to be successful in a grueling program and, who graduate to walk in places where others fear to tread. This award is for your Loyalty, Integrity, and Pride."

Powell's success is understandable when considering comments from his own students, which include:

• "Attention to detail - he is surely preparing me for future learning."
• "Exceptional source of information. Well informed, well versed on subject matter."
• "When I compared my BLET experience to others, it seems that this program is run smoother and has a very large focus on training us to be effective in the career ..."
• "I like how the director Mr. Powell can explain the material in a way that anybody on any education level can understand."
• "Mr. Powell is the best instructor I have had."

Frank Scuiletti, of the N.C. Community College System Office for many career and technical education programs, said of Powell: "... there are probably not many instructors that model citizenship, rigorously attend to ongoing professional development, motivates students as effectively, are as well respected by their peers, raise the academic bar as high, are capable of diagnosing and implementing programmatic changes based on well thought out data-informed decisions, or model integrity, compassion and leadership, as well as Robert does."

Among the BLET program graduates is Cris Nystrom, who completed 30 years of military service with the Army Special Forces. "Dr. Powell is among the finest instructors I have had the privilege of knowing and interfacing with in a learning environment," Nystrom said. "He is a teacher who trains, mentors, and imparts knowledge on the student. He is a true professional, an example for all in the world of teaching to emulate."

Bridget Daniel of the UNC Hospitals Police Department is one of Powell's former students. "I studied long and hard and took every bit of advice he gave me. I miraculously made it through," Daniel said. "At graduation, Mr. Powell walked up to me and gave me the biggest hug and said, 'I knew you could do it. I am so proud of you!' That meant so much to me. It was at that moment I understood that he was pushing me to be the best I could be."

Powell has been at CCCC since January 2002. His work experience includes work at the UNC Criminal Clinic in Durham, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Raleigh, the Davidson County District Attorney's Office in Lexington, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department in Winston-Salem, and the Wake Forest University Campus Police in Winston-Salem. He received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.