Southwest student and faculty member selected as SOAR awards regional finalists

By Victoria Brown

Congratulations are in order for a Southwest faculty member and student who were selected as regional finalists for the Tennessee Board of Regents’ 2024 SOAR awards.

Each year, faculty and staff from community colleges across Tennessee attend the SOAR Awards to learn about the initiatives benefiting the TBR family of community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.

Southwest Culinary Arts Program Coordinator
Chef Stephen Leake and Dr. Tracy D. Hall.

Chef Stephen Leake, culinary arts program coordinator, was selected as a finalist for Faculty of the Year.

“I am totally honored and grateful to have been the Faculty of the Year Finalist representing Southwest Tennessee Community College. To have made it down to the final three candidates out of all the community colleges throughout the state of Tennessee was a monumental accomplishment,” Leake said. “It's a testimony to all the extra work and effort that I put in on behalf of my student's success. They are the reason that I do what I do and enjoy what I am doing!”

Student Carrie Robinson, who excelled in the student art category, received a Virtual Art Competition award.

Southwest student Carrie Robinson
pictured with Dr. Hall.

“I was very honored to be chosen as one of the top three finalists for the TBR SOAR Awards this past March. During the events in Nashville, I had a wonderful time touring the Country Music Hall of Fame, attending the Chancellor's Reception and spending time exploring downtown Nashville,” said Robinson. “I am beyond thankful to have represented Southwest Tennessee Community College at this event.”

Each art contest winner received a cash prize, and their work will be exhibited at The College System of Tennessee Office for one year.

Congratulations to both award winners!

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Southwest student and faculty member selected as SOAR awards regional finalists

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