Niblock, Davis honored by TRC as outstanding teachers

Each year, Three Rivers College honors an outstanding teacher and adjunct at the institution with the Excellence in Teaching awards.

Kristy Niblock and adjunct Carol Davis were this years recipients and nominated for the award by their colleagues.

“Both of these instructors are committed to providing the best educational experience possible for our students,” said Dr. Justin Hoggard, TRC Dean of Instruction. “They have a passion for helping students achieve their dreams and goals for college, career and life.”

Niblock, TRC recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, is an assistant professor in social science and has been an instructor at the college for seven years.

She is a Quality Matters certified course designer and peer reviewer with academic discipline in mathematics, science and social studies.

“Ms. Niblock has been an active participant in the institution of online course offerings at Three Rivers College, making courses readily available to students who are not able to attend within the traditional model of college courses,” her nomination letter read.

In addition, Niblock has also worked closely with four-year partner institutions to design and provide degree completion programs that meet the needs of the community.

“I am very lucky to teach sociology, an inherently interesting and constantly changing field,” Niblock said. “We get to talk about really fun things in class and the students enjoy our conversations.”

To keep her students engaged, Niblock incorporates a range of teaching styles within the classroom, including lecture, short videos, class discussion and group activities.

“It’s all about engagement,” she added.

Niblock said she also concentrates on teaching her students critical thought and analysis, something that’s expected in higher level courses.

Niblock received her Associates and Bachelor in Science Degrees from Ferris State University. She then received her Masters of Art from Western Michigan University.

“She is a stellar example of a great faculty member in and out of the classroom,” TRC President Dr. Wesley Payne said.

English and Speech Instructor Carol Davis, the Three Rivers College Adjunct Teacher of the Year, works with students in the classroom. Photo provided

Davis, TRC recipient of the Adjunct of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching, is an instructor of English and speech classes.

She has been a teacher for well over two-thirds of her life with academic discipline in communication and languages.

“I have attempted to show students of all ages the value of listening and learning in the classroom and beyond,” Davis said. “Their success is my success; therefore, most of all I want all of my students to achieve that success and be able to move to the next level of their education with confidence as well as knowledge.”

Her primary concern is always for both student learning and student welfare, Mark J. Sanders said in his nomination letter.

“She cares about her students like they are members of her own family and she also wants them to lean and succeed,” he said.

Sanders also added Davis makes a point to attend convocation meetings and other faculty events, even though adjuncts are not required.

“Carol is the very definition of one who goes above and beyond,” he said.

Davis received a Bachelor of Science in English education from Missouri State University and Masters of Art in teaching from Webster University. She also has additional credit hours from the University of Central Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University.

“She has been here longer than the majority of our full-time faculty as an adjunct,” Payne said of Davis. “It is clear to me why Ms. Davis was selected as adjunct of the year.”

He went on to say Davis is never seen without a smile and there is never a problem, just an opportunity to help another student.

“She is a really great example of a part-time faculty member coming and doing a great job of helping move our students forward,” Payne said.