The League Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions and leadership by community college faculty and staff. Recipients are recognized in a series of activities and promotions.

“Sheila and Karina are exemplary leaders whose dedication and commitment to excellence inspire our entire community,” ACC President Dr. Robert J. Exley said. “Their unwavering focus on student success and their contributions to teaching and innovation make them invaluable members of the ACC family.”

ACC administrators and faculty nominate full-time colleagues for these awards with one designated for an academic faculty and the other for technical faculty. Recipients receive commemorative medallions and certificates in recognition of the awards. Additionally, recipients attend The League’s annual conference in March to participate in professional development sessions and celebrate recognition of their Excellence Awards.

Lovas said she was surprised to be nominated from her fellow faculty members.

 I was blown away to be nominated by fellow ACC faculty, so many of whom are such accomplished and experienced educators,” she said. “It is truly one of the highest honors of my career so far to be even nominated alongside them, let along to receive the award. This is very special to me and I am so thankful to be recognized.”

Lovas joined the ACC faculty in 2020 and decided to become an educator as she worked as a teaching assistant while earning her Master’s Degree.

“I realized that instruction was more my calling than research,” she said. “I really love working with students and helping them work out material and seeing when a new concept or idea clicks.”

Woods previously received the Excellence Award in 2018. The award is an honor because it comes from fellow faculty members, she said.

“It is special to receive the nomination from my peers whose dedication and expertise I deeply respect,” she said. “Being recognized by my peers makes this even more significant and rewarding.”

Woods first joined the ACC faculty nine years ago and said she chose education in order to help students succeed in the classroom and in their careers.

“I became an educator because I’m passionate about empowering students with business knowledge and helping them achieve their academic and personal goals,” She said.