GTCC kicks off academic year with all-staff Celebration of Excellence

“We look forward to the Celebration of Excellence each year as an opportunity to bring together faculty and staff from across all of our campuses and prepare for the academic year,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D.

Guilford Technical Community College opened the 2026-27 academic year by bringing faculty and staff together for its annual Celebration of Excellence, a collegewide event recognizing the achievements of the past year and setting a focused, energizing tone for the year ahead. The assembly, held on the college’s Cameron Campus for all full- and part-time employees, carried the message “It Takes Every Titan: Attend, Engage, Succeed.”

“We look forward to the Celebration of Excellence each year as an opportunity to bring together faculty and staff from across all of our campuses and prepare for the academic year,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “The overall message for everyone is that they should be proud to work at GTCC because the college is doing extremely well due to the work of our faculty, staff, and students. So, we gather to build excitement around our shared mission, celebrate the dedication of our employees and renew our commitment to making amazing happen for our students.”

The kickoff also included the annual Excellence in Teaching, Endowed Teaching Chair, and the President’s awards for outstanding service and innovation.

Excellence in Teaching awards were presented to five GTCC instructors, including Timothy Burress, Cristy Cox, Amy Huffman, Melissa Maley, and Robert Payne.

Burress, an associate professor of history for 15 years, was honored for his innovative and inspiring teaching style. His students continuously praise how approachable, kind, understanding, and professional he is. In addition to his teaching, Burress has consistently advised student clubs, served as a course redesigner and manager, worked as an assessment liaison for his department, and served as a Curriculum Committee member.

Cox, a veteran adult education math instructor, has poured her heart into her role, transforming the lives of countless adult students while earning an Excellence in Teaching award. Her deep knowledge of adult learning continues to positively impact her students by identifying tools, strategies, and support students need to succeed.

The longest-serving faculty member at GTCC, Huffman, an early childhood development instructor for 45 years, keeps students at the center of every conversation, decision, and initiative. She carefully connects classroom content to real-world practice, ensuring that students leave GTCC fully prepared. In addition, through mentorship to those in her department, across the college and within the early childhood education community, Huffman provides thoughtful and constructive feedback that helps others grow.

Maley, an associate professor of religion for 19 years, demonstrates patience and commitment and encourages critical thinking within the learning environment she leads for GTCC students. Beyond the classroom, she serves as a club adviser, a course redesigner and manager, an assessment liaison for the religion department and has been a Faculty Association officer.

Additionally, she established the GTCC Global Scholars program, building relationships with colleges around the world for study abroad experiences.

Concluding the Excellence in Teaching awards, recipient Payne has been a full-time associate professor in the GTCC paralegal program since 2011. He has shown how a successful law professional can make an impact on teaching and inspire future law professionals. His students praise his personal career insights into understanding the complexities of law.

Winners of the President’s Award for outstanding service and innovation were Lisa Butterworth, Carmem Cavalcanti De Melo, Jan Knox, and Brad Spielman.

Butterworth, an early childhood education instructor, was recognized for her commitment to students, workforce development, and the mission of GTCC by creating innovative pathways through the early childhood education academies. With a critical shortage of qualified childhood education professionals in North Carolina, she transformed a new state initiative into a successful and impactful program at GTCC. Butterworth developed an accelerated Childhood Education Academy model that provides students with a free pathway into the early childhood profession, equipping them with valuable credentials and the skills needed to quickly enter the workforce.

Cavalcanti De Melo, a student success specialist and international student adviser, has transformed the international student experience at GTCC, making the college a more connected and inclusive campus. Over the past several years, the international student population has grown to more than 100 students, reflecting a commitment to building a welcoming environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

Collegewide, Cavalcanti De Melo created and has grown GTCC’s annual International Night and other cultural programs where students, employees, and community members have had opportunities to experience traditions, foods, music, and perspectives from around the globe, fostering a true sense of belonging.

As vice president of the College Advancement division, Knox has transformed the future of GTCC by bringing together recruiting, marketing, philanthropy, community engagement, and strategic partnerships around a single purpose: creating opportunities for students.

Since joining GTCC, she has reimagined how the college connects with prospective students, donors, employers, and the community. Through her leadership, Knox helped build an integrated, data-driven advancement operation that has strengthened enrollment growth, elevated the college's visibility, and positioned GTCC for long-term success. Beyond measurable results, colleagues describe Knox as a leader who is thoughtful, steady, and deeply committed to helping others succeed.

Rounding out the President’s award recipients is Spielman, director of the GTCC Center for Academic Engagement. Since joining the college, he has provided leadership that has strengthened academic support services and expanded opportunities for student success. In addition, Spielman played a key role in creating a new learning environment that has become a hub for students and faculty designed to remove barriers, create opportunities, and ensure every student has the support needed to succeed.