Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College honored the recipients of the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards during the Alabama Community College Association (ACCA) Conference held on November 24 in Montgomery. This prestigious recognition celebrates excellence and dedication among faculty, staff, and administrators.
“These individuals exemplify the very best of what it means to go above and beyond in service for our students and to each other,” said Dr. Tera Simmons, executive vice president of Gadsden State. “Their dedication, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to excellence enrich our college community and inspire us all to do our best. We are truly fortunate to have such outstanding individuals among us.”
The honorees were also recognized locally during the Spring Convocation in September at Gadsden State Cherokee. The 2024 award recipients include academic faculty member Patricia Wilborn, technical faculty member Hollie Bonds, support staff member Wes Wood, and administrator Andy Robertson.
Patricia Wilborn – Academic Faculty Winner
Wilborn, the division chair for Languages and Humanities and director of the Alabama Language Institute (ALI), has been a cornerstone of Gadsden State since 1999. Under her leadership, ALI has maintained its status as the oldest English language institution in the Southeast. Wilborn has taught a wide range of subjects, including English Composition, developmental reading and writing, humanities, and German.
A scholar with three advanced degrees, Wilborn earned her Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Alabama with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She has presented at national conferences and served on a Fulbright Fellowship Program search committee.
Hollie Bonds – Technical Faculty Winner
Bonds, a Mechanical Design Technology instructor, has made remarkable strides on the Ayers Campus by increasing program enrollment and advocating for female representation in STEM fields. Since her arrival in 2022, female enrollment in her program has risen by 30%, and dual enrollment participation has skyrocketed by 833%.
An alumna of Gadsden State, Bonds has extensive industry experience, including roles as a CAD designer, manufacturing engineer, and supervisor. She was previously named the 2023 Outstanding Technical Faculty Member of the Year by the Gadsden State Alumni Association.
Wes Wood – Support Staff Winner
As Supervisor of Facility Maintenance, Wood oversees a team responsible for maintenance and repair across the college’s campuses. Joining Gadsden State in 2021, he has implemented efficient repair schedules and preventive maintenance programs to ensure seamless campus operations.
Wood earned an Associate of Science in Industrial Automation Technology from Gadsden State in 2013 and brought a wealth of experience from his previous roles in electrical maintenance at St. Vincent’s Health System and private companies.
Andy Robertson – Administration Winner
Robertson, the division chair of Applied and Engineering Technologies, has been instrumental in launching innovative apprenticeship programs such as FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) and CoMeT (Consortium of Machining Education Training). These programs provide students with hands-on industry experience paired with academic training.
A two-time graduate of Jacksonville State University, Robertson holds degrees in secondary education and mathematics. He has expanded Gadsden State’s credentials with short-term certifications in areas like Additive Manufacturing and Mechatronics Advanced Automation.
These outstanding individuals embody the mission of Gadsden State and continue to inspire excellence throughout the college community.
