Oceanside CA— MiraCosta College students selected communications instructor Eric Robertson as 2015 Outstanding Tenured Faculty of the Year, history faculty member Veronica Bale as 2015 Outstanding Associate Faculty of the Year, and nursing instructional lab associate Denise Omitt as Outstanding Classified Staff Member of the Year. Developed by the Associated Student Government, these student-initiated and administered awards were announced during MiraCosta College’s 2015 commencement ceremony.

Outstanding Tenured Faculty of the Year: Eric Robertson

Communication studies instructor, Eric Robertson received the Tenured Faculty of the Year award. Robertson credits his students for giving him feedback and guidance over the last 10 years.
“The students should receive the credit,” said Robertson. “I ask my students at the end of each semester on how I can improve and after 10 years of incorporating their suggestions, I think I have some pretty solid classes.”
Robertson also thanks his wife, Kim and two children Eli and Tyler along with several members of the MiraCosta College Communication Department including Neil Moura, Sam Arenivar, Leola McClure and Anthony Ongyod for their unconditional support.
Robertson says he hopes to be teaching communication studies at MiraCosta College for many more years to come. “I always tell my students how I’ll be here in 30 years, so if they ever need anything in the future, they’ll know where to find me.”

Outstanding Associate Faculty of the Year: Veronica Bale

The recipient of the Associate Faculty of the Year award, history instructor Veronica Bale, attributes her grandfather for passing down a passion for history.
“I never had a chance to get to know him and I feel like God gave me some kind of ‘history-geek gene’ that made me obsessed with history as much as he was,” said Bale.
A longtime MiraCosta College instructor, Bale has been teaching at the college for more than 17 years and her presence has not gone unnoticed. Bale believes she has made an impact with her students and says the award further validates all the hard work she puts into preparing her classes.
Bale’s style of teaching works particularly well with student veterans “whose experiences bring an important perspective to class discussions and create a stimulating atmosphere.”
Bale thanks fellow MiraCosta College professor Lisa Lane, for her support and encouragement. “The fact that my work requires me to do my favorite things, which are to read, think and discuss history, is a huge joy and blessing.”

Outstanding Classified Staff of the Year: Denise Omitt

Nursing instructional lab associate Denise Omitt was named the 2015 Outstanding Classified Staff of the Year.
As an instructional lab associate, Omitt assists nursing students with the process of understanding the nursing concepts and practices that need to be applied once they reach the hospitals.
“Working at MiraCosta College for the past six years has been one of the best jobs I’ve had the opportunity to do,” said Omitt. “Students’ success and that ‘aha moment’ they experience are the reasons I come to work.”
The award also came as a complete surprise. She says she is honored for the recognition and is thankful to all of the employees and faculty in the college’s Nursing Department. “Without them, I would not be able to do my job.”
The Associated Students Outstanding Faculty & Staff Award is an annual honor bestowed to the employees of MiraCosta College. Students are encouraged to nominate and vote for member of the MiraCosta College faculty and staff for the prestigious award.