College Names Excellence in Teaching Recipient
From left, J. Edgar Moore, NCC Math Professor Dina Pitt and NCC Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Trent Mohrbutter
Nash Community College Math Professor Dina Pitt of Rocky Mount is the recipient of the 2014 J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Excellence in Teaching Award nominees are chosen through a peer and a student evaluation process from all full-time faculty members each year. There is a well-defined set of criteria developed to identify and reward quality teaching. The recipient is chosen by secret ballot by the full-time faculty and represents the best in community college instruction.
“I would like to think I have contributed to the culture change at NCC, not just in math, but across campus. Not realizing the full virility it could have, I helped create a phenomenon called ‘Blue Love’ that embodies our commitment to the success of our students. All I knew was the difference a little love made in the students’ lives I had touched,” Pitt said.
As the 2014 recipient of the award, Professor Pitt received a cash award from Ed and Peggie Moore of Rocky Mount and served as Faculty Marshal for the College’s spring graduation programs. She will also represent NCC in the statewide North Carolina Community College System’s Excellence in Teaching Award process.
“Not only does Mrs. Pitt care about her students, she cares about every soul in our building. I have witnessed her approaching students that she has never met before to ask them what they want to do in life. With a light push of encouragement, many students find the strength they need to succeed through her. Anyone on campus will agree that she is the funniest and most uplifting instructor they have ever had,” NCC Associate in Science student Jessica Avila said.
With Professor Pitt’s leadership, the Math Department implemented the Developmental Math redesign in fall 2013 and increased student success from 53 percent in fall 2012 to 73 percent in fall 2013.
Professor Pitt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Campbell University. She began her career at Nash Community College in 2000.
