Natasha Neal Receives Excellence in Teaching Award
Natasha Neal (left), 2024 J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award recipient and Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt (right), NCC President at Recognition Ceremony
Nash Community College is proud to announce Natasha Neal as the 2024 J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of the lives of students and witness their growth as designers,” said Neal. “This award reminds me of the profound impact educators can have on their students, and I am forever grateful to receive this honor.”
The late Mr. and Mrs. J. Edgar Moore of Rocky Mount were longtime supporters of the College. As the award recipient, Neal receives the J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore monetary award, a recognition plaque, and an opportunity to attend the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Conference in Austin, Texas. She will also represent the College for the NC Community College System statewide award nomination, and she recently served as the faculty marshal in the College’s May commencement ceremony.
“This award is the testament to her work ethic and ability to inspire change within the students she welcomes into her classroom,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. “At NCC, we strive to meet students where they are; Neal’s commitment to continue to educate even herself on new offerings and technologies allows us to succeed on that commitment.”
The Excellence in Teaching Award nomination process began with three full-time curriculum faculty members being selected for consideration based on the results of evaluations by students for the 2023 academic year. These faculty members wrote a short essay and were allowed to select faculty to submit essays of support following peer observation.
“Natasha is gifted both as an artist and an instructor, and she has excelled at using her talents to help her students hone their own artistic abilities,” said Dr. Amy Harrell, vice president of instruction and chief academic officer at NCC. “Anyone who has seen the work created by the Advertising and Graphic Design students knows that they have been carefully and diligently taught.”
Neal is a tenured member of the NCC faculty. She has been an Advertising and Graphic Design Instructor since 2008. Given over 15 years of experience, she specializes in adult and e-learning and has various skills in the design space. Neal was also named a professor this year. She has been the college’s only full-time instructor for the program, thus she has developed the curriculum for it over the years.
“Reflecting on my teaching career, I can’t ignore the significant impact my students have had on my life. This impact has been woven through moments ranging from general conversations to challenges that we overcame as a team.
She received both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts from Elizabeth City State University, focused in Graphic Design and Art, respectively. She earned her Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of Florida. Additionally, Neal holds various certifications that enhance the her skills and quality of education she is able to provide to students, staying on top of industry trends. These include:
- Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching (Walden University)
- Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning (Walden University)
- Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Certified Professional in Print & Digital Media Publication Using Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design Using Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design
- Adobe Creative Educator: Creativity for All (Level 1)
- Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
“I have observed her excel as an instructor in all instructional modalities. She is accessible, technologically skilled and motivated to see her students succeed,” said Nakisha Floyd, department chair of business and information technologies at NCC. “She has shown that she is a reflective practitioner who evaluates the quality of instruction. She excels in program planning by effectively using metrics and data to evaluate instruction. She is proactive in seeking out ways to keep our curriculum fresh and updated to promote NCC’s goal to prepare students for the 21st-century workforce.”
Neal has learned various lessons from her 15 years at NCC and looks forward to the future.
“My horizons have been expanded by my students’ diverse perspectives and experiences, which has challenged me to keep learning and growing in order to assist better and guide them on their educational journey,” said Neal.
