NorthWest Arkansas Community College

In early October, the Arkansas Community Colleges Association honored outstanding community college faculty, staff, students and alumni from around the state at its virtual conference. NWACC honorees included faculty member Lorraine Bach, staff member Robin Roitz, student Jessica Woosley and alumni Jonathan Janacek.

 

Outstanding Faculty - Lorraine Bach

NWACC English Instructor and Director of the Writing Center Lorraine Bach was named Outstanding Faculty. Lorraine’s work duties include instructing and supporting developmental students in composition and grammar areas, as well as hiring, training and supervising writing tutors (NWACC English instructors) for face-to-face, virtual and email consultations with students. She presents forty-five one-hour workshops on grammar, punctuation and basic writing skills. 

It’s Lorraine’s kind demeanor and her genuine love for her students that sets her apart. When asked about her, her students always respond with a smile and simply say, “She is the best!”

 

Outstanding Staff - Robin Roitz

NWACC Payroll and Benefits Administration Director Robin Roitz was named Outstanding Staff. Robin has been recognized as a great role model with a strong work ethic who is always ready to lend a hand. Although Robin is frequently under time constraints, she makes time to assist employees with payroll, benefits and other questions. Robin has the exceptional ability to take on additional roles without fail. She has not only taken on Workday implementation but has stepped up to take on the job duties of benefits administration along with her existing payroll duties. To say Robin is hardworking is an understatement!

 

Outstanding Student - Jessica Woosley

NWACC honors student Jessica Woosley was named Outstanding Student. She is currently seeking a degree in liberal arts and science and has plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Jessica dropped out of high school at the age of 15, endured years of domestic abuse and became pregnant at a young age. In her 20s, she earned her GED, and entered a two-year transitional housing program for single mothers in crisis at Havenwood. With encouragement from her case worker, she applied to NWACC and became a recipient of the Single Parents Scholarship. She pushed through her academic struggles, took advantage of the college’s tutoring services, and finished her first semester with a 4.0 grade point average.

As a domestic abuse survivor, Jessica volunteers at the Benton County jail, Havenwood, Hub of Hope and Recovery for Life, and uses her story to empower and help other women who have faced domestic violence, sexual exploitations and sex trafficking. She plans to use her life experience and the lessons she’s learned in perseverance and determination at NWACC to empower her future clients through social work.

 

Outstanding Alumni - Jonathan Janacek

NWACC alumni Jonathan Janacek was named Outstanding Alumni. Jonathan is an NWACC adjunct construction professor, teaching Residential Construction Methods, as well as the vice president of operations at Janacek Remodeling. In his position, Jonathan is responsible for field crew operations, new client consultation, project management and design for residential construction. In 2019, Janacek Remodeling was selected to be listed in Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50, out of over 130,000 active remodelers nationwide.

At the age of 34, Jonathan is the youngest person to ever achieve Graduate Master Remodeler, a professional designation held by a select group of building industry professionals - applicants must have at least 15 years of remodeling experience before they are even eligible to be considered for the designation.

Jonathan is also an active member of the Northwest Arkansas community and donates his time and resources to several local non-profit organizations, such as Boy Scouts of America, Rebuilding Together NWA, Samaritan Community Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA of NWA and NWA Young Life.

 

Congrats to all outstanding honorees!