Muskegon Community College (MCC) is proud to announce that geography instructor Diana Casey has been honored with the Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Award by the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). Diana was formally recognized and presented with this prestigious award at the NCGE annual conference held in Columbia, South Carolina on October 28.
The Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Award is a testament to Diana Casey’s commitment to excellence in geography education. The NCGE, which was founded in 1915, bestows this esteemed award in recognition of educators who have made significant contributions to the field of geography in higher education.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award as I have been a classroom teacher for 40 years,” Casey said. “My mother was a teacher, and I so wish that she were still alive to see this achievement.”
Casey’s nomination for this accolade came from Dr. Lisa DeChano-Cook, a colleague from Western Michigan University, while the two have collaborated on several projects.
“Diana Casey is an excellent teacher and role model for her students,” Cook said. “She is dedicated to helping her students learn and succeed in whatever path they choose after leaving MCC.”
While the Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Award is a source of pride, Casey says her ultimate satisfaction is unlocking a student’s full potential.
“Without students, in all levels and avenues of education, we have nothing. My happiness in teaching is all about helping students succeed.”
Muskegon Community College, established in 1926, offers a diverse range of academic programs spanning over 80 areas of study, including geography and various other sciences. The college also provides a wealth of community resources, including a planetarium, a natural area, a science museum, a health and wellness center, an art gallery, and a golf course.