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Nunez Community College held its annual Convocation program Aug. 11 in the Student Testing and Career Counseling Center on the Nunez campus. The program sets out the college’s goals and areas of focus for the upcoming academic year, and also celebrates exceptional faculty and staff. Pictured, Nunez Chancellor Tina Tinney addresses employees at Convocation.
The 2025-2026 Academic Year kicked off Aug. 11 at Nunez Community College with the college’s Convocation 2025 program, with this year’s theme “Soaring to New Heights.”
Convocation is an annual event where all faculty and staff meet each Fall ahead of the new academic year to learn about the college’s priorities for the coming year, as well as plans that will extend years into the future. Nunez Chancellor Tina Tinney, Ed. D., welcomed returning and new employees and delivered the State of the College address. Nunez celebrated its No. 1 ranking in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) for the second consecutive year for reaching 172% of the System's goal for the number of completers and credentials awarded. The goals are established for each college and contribute to the overall Board of Regents Master Plan “Louisiana Prospers,” which is the new attainment call to have 60% of working age adults in Louisiana hold a degree or high value credential from a post-secondary institution by 2030.
Dr. Tinney also outlined the college’s new five-year Strategic Plan, which extends through 2030.
"Nunez is an incredible asset to our community and has proven to be an innovative institution that has grown significantly in terms of enrollment, programs and facilities. Through the execution of our new five-year Strategic Plan, our college will continue its commitment to growth, collaboration and excellence in service to our students and our business and industry partners," said Dr. Tinney. "It was exciting to share the plan's priorities and goals with all Nunez employees at Convocation, and I look forward to sharing our plan broadly with our many partners and external stakeholders as well!"
Dr. Tinney was joined in her presentation of the five-year plan by Dr. Janet Pilcher, founder and President of Studer Education, a consulting firm that has worked closely with Nunez for years.
Exceptional faculty and staff were recognized with the Nunez GEM (Great Employee Moments) awards, Professional Faculty and Staff awards, and service awards for employees hitting milestone years in their time with the college. Nunez recognized the following faculty and staff:
- Excellence In Teaching Award – Dr. Charles Miller, Associate Professor of Sociology (This award was announced at Nunez’s Commencement Ceremony in May.)
- Outstanding Professional Staff Award – Mike Pritchard, Interim Facilities Foreman
- Outstanding Professional Support Staff Award – Seth Braniff, IT Technician
- Outstanding Retiree Award – Kathy Huff, former Teaching and Care and Development of Young Children program chair
- Student-Centered GEM Award – Natalie Haniford, Director of Student Success
- Teaching & Learning GEM – Emily Sherwood, Office Manager
- Integrity GEM Award – Jermaine Labat, Registrar
- Caring GEM Award – Mary Llorance, Staff Accountant
- Innovation GEM Award – Kat Bell, Sustainable Energy Career Academy Program Coordinator
5-Year Service Award
- Jason Browne, Director of Communications
- Jackie Cantrell, Assistant Director of General Accounting
- Randy Hartzog, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program Chair and Instructor
- Brittney Zaffuto, Practical Nursing Program Chair and Instructor
10-Year Service Award
- Dr. Lauren Englade-Franklin, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- James Harper, Sheriff’s Deputy
- Dr. Alaa Khalil, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
- Jesús Melendez, Welding Program Chair and Instructor
- Keithia Sylve, Custodian
20-Year Service Award
- Clara Johnson, Custodian
25-Year Service Award
- Ron Chapman, Professor of American History
- Wendy Frazier, Assistant Director of Purchasing
- Chris Hintzen, Senior Systems Administrator
- Tachel Jones, Assistant Director of Bursar/Accounts Receivable
Convocation also featured several guests who hosted panels throughout the day. GNO Inc. Policy and Research Manager Harrison Gitz and Director of Talent and Workforce Marco Tejeda-Kemp provided a summary of GNO Inc.’s 2024 Jobs Report. A Student Resource Panel included representatives from Ride New Orleans, Tri-Parish Works, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid, the Nunez Health Center, the Community Center of St. Bernard and CORE Counseling.
Nunez would like to thank our partner organizations for their generous sponsorship of Convocation 2025. Sponsors included UNO Federal Credit Union, Attaway Trophies & Awards, Blue Cube Promotions, Canseco’s Markets, Clements Insurance Services, The Coffeehouse, Methodist Health System Foundation, Raising Cane’s, Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery, SSE Steel Fabrication, Tinney Family Dentistry and The UPS Store.
