Melissa Recknor ’19, an alumna and current education specialist student, has received the Presidential Award for Meritorious Service from Surry Community College, where she is the Director of Student Success and Academic Advising.
“Being named the recipient was a surprise,” said Recknor. “I work hard for my team of advisors, my coworkers, and, most importantly, our students and never dreamed of receiving any recognition.”
“I work hard for my team of advisors, my coworkers, and, most importantly, our students and never dreamed of receiving any recognition.”
“When we moved to online and virtual learning this past spring,” Recknor continued, “my goal was to keep my team of advisors connected with their students and to keep the onboarding process for new students as seamless as possible.”
“It was a nice surprise to be recognized, but I hope my colleagues know it was just as much of a recognition of their hard work as it was mine,” she noted. “I would never be where I am without them, my family, and my professors at Appalachian State University.”
The Presidential Award for Meritorious Service recognizes faculty who have been noticed for their especially hard work and exceptional services.
Recknor received her Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Kentucky and her Master of Arts in higher education administration from Appalachian State University. She is currently working on her Ed.S. in higher education administration, an online college and univeresity teaching graduate certificate, and an international leadership graduate certificate, all through the Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Department Leadership and Educational Studies.
Recknor chose Appalachian for her master’s degree because it was a fully online program. “Plus, Appalachian's Reich College of Education carries a strong reputation,” she added.
She continued, “I loved the master’s degree program so much that I decided to continue into the Ed.S. The faculty were wonderful and the classes truly enhanced my career, I cannot say enough wonderful things about the programs.”
In addition to her academic pursuits, Recknor will soon take on a nationwide role with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) as chair of the High School to College Community.
Her new role with the NACADA will be to provide opportunities for connections across the country, professional development, and community among advisors.
“This community focuses not only on the transition from high school to college but advising dual-enrolled students, which is a strong passion of mine and, hopefully, the topic of my future dissertation,” said Recknor.
“I believe these programs, especially in rural areas like ours in Surry County, are a path toward stronger communities and mobility for students and their families,” she noted.
“In our community, I truly hope that I am encouraging students and advisors to pursue post-secondary education,” she said. “Whether that be for free while in high school and understanding what is available to them and their families or upon graduation, I truly hope my team of advisors can bring the knowledge of opportunity to all high school students.”
“By doing this,” she added, “it is my goal that all high school graduates leave either with some college credit earned at no charge to their family or understand what is available to them when they graduate and what change that can make in their lives.”
When asked what she was most proud of, Recknor said, “Although I don't like to speak too much about it, I was diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer in November of 2018.”
“After surgery in December of that year, I underwent radiation and hormone therapy then moved into my new role all while keeping and currently maintaining a 4.0 average,” she continued.
“Again, without the support of my colleagues, family, friends, and Appalachian State University professors, I would have never been able to accomplish all I have.”
Melissa Recknor
