NEW YORK, NEW YORK – A Northeast Community College instructor has been recognized on a national stage for outstanding achievement.

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) presented Brian Anderson and five other two-year instructors with its regional faculty awards during its annual Leadership Congress recently in New York. He was presented with the 2022 ACCT Western Region William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award. ACCT’s western region covers 10 states and five Canadian provinces and territories.

The ACCT awards program recognizes the tremendous contributions made by faculty members, trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, and professional board staff members. Those honored at the national level received regional-level recognition in their respective categories earlier in the year. The regional-level awardees were the sole contenders for the national-level ACCT Association Awards.

“Community colleges are uniquely committed to making high-quality higher education accessible to all people," said James Cooksey, ACCT chair and trustee from Moberly Area Community College (Mo). “Serving as gateways to meaningful careers and even higher education for many, this year's regional awardees represent the most outstanding people and programs across this great nation.”

“Identifying and recognizing outstanding community college leaders is a highlight of our year,” said Jee Hang Lee ACCT president and CEO. “The 2022 awardees are among the most dedicated we've seen, reflecting our colleges' tireless commitment to helping students succeed. It is a privilege for all of us at ACCT to be able to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible people and programs at community colleges.”

Anderson has over 25-years industry experience. His program serves as a pipeline in providing graduates to assist in filling their workforce demands. In addition, he is actively involved in the Nebraska and national SkillsUSA organizations. Several of his students have gone on to earn state and national championships at Skills USA competitions.

As an instructor, Anderson also has a close relationship with the Nebraska Broadcasters Association – the preeminent organization of the state’s broadcasters. This affiliation has allowed his students to network with professionals and industry representatives, balancing his classroom instruction. His students have also earned esteemed recognition by the NBA for their work. He is also a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone pilot, which allows him to teach FAA rules and regulation courses to students and the public related to the rising industry.

In 2021, Anderson was bestowed with the Nebraska Community College Association’s Faculty Member Award, which is presented to one faculty member each year from five of the state’s community colleges.
This is the sixth regional ACCT award that has been presented to a representative of Northeast Community College over the past seven-years.

In 2018, ACCT and Northeast board member Steve Anderson, of Concord, earned the trustee leadership award and Diane Reikofski, executive assistant to the president, received the board professional staff member award for the western region, while former president Dr. Michael Chipps was presented the CEO award in 2017. The late John Davies, Pilger, was recognized with the western region’s trustee leadership award in 2015.

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond Their work affects more than 11 million students annually.

Located in Washington, D.C., ACCT is a major voice of community college trustees to the presidential administration, U.S. Congress, the Departments of Education and Labor and more. ACCT educates community and technical college trustees through annual conferences focused on leadership development and advocacy, as well as through publications and online and face-to-face institutes and seminars.