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As the premier gathering for teaching, learning, and innovation across our community colleges, New Horizons provides VCCS faculty and staff the opportunity to come together to share ideas, focus on pedagogy, and collaborate across campuses.
As the premier gathering for teaching, learning, and innovation across our community colleges, New Horizons provides VCCS faculty and staff the opportunity to come together to share ideas, focus on pedagogy, and collaborate across campuses.
New Horizons 2026 is scheduled for April 15 - 17 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
New Horizons 2026 is scheduled for April 15 - 17 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
Stay tuned for more information!
Stay tuned for more information!
2025 Recap
2025 Recap
Chancellor Doré addresses attendees during the 2025 New Horizons Conference
From April 2–4, more than 700 faculty, staff, and leaders from across Virginia’s Community Colleges gathered in Roanoke for New Horizons 2025—the premier conference for teaching, learning, and innovation in our system.
From April 2–4, more than 700 faculty, staff, and leaders from across Virginia’s Community Colleges gathered in Roanoke for New Horizons 2025—the premier conference for teaching, learning, and innovation in our system.
This year’s theme, Better Together, highlighted our shared commitment to the One System vision and the goals of Accelerate Opportunity. Over three days, participants engaged in keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and collaborative discussions focused on high-impact instruction, a culture of student care, and practices that meet the needs of today’s learners.
This year’s theme, Better Together, highlighted our shared commitment to the One System vision and the goals of Accelerate Opportunity. Over three days, participants engaged in keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and collaborative discussions focused on high-impact instruction, a culture of student care, and practices that meet the needs of today’s learners.
With vibrant conversations, inspiring ideas, and renewed connections, New Horizons 2025 reminded us that by working together, we can shape a stronger future for every student—and for Virginia.
With vibrant conversations, inspiring ideas, and renewed connections, New Horizons 2025 reminded us that by working together, we can shape a stronger future for every student—and for Virginia.
2025 By The Numbers...
2025 By The Numbers...
More than 700 attendees, representing all 23 colleges in addition to System Office, Shared Services, and community partners...
More than 700 attendees, representing all 23 colleges in addition to System Office, Shared Services, and community partners...
Nearly 100 concurrent sessions, featuring over 150 speakers representing 22 colleges plus System Office, Shared Services, and partner organizations
With the support of over 50 volunteers, representing 17 colleges, who helped before, during, and after the conference by...
With the support of over 50 volunteers, representing 17 colleges, who helped before, during, and after the conference by...
Reviewing and scoring session proposals,
Reviewing awards submissions to award over $15,000 to winners,
Checking folks in at registration, and
Ensuring every breakout room was ready to go with Tech Support
Annual New Horizons Awards
Annual New Horizons Awards
Each year, we have an opportunity to honor the exceptional faculty, staff, and student services professionals whose teamwork and dedication are transforming lives and empowering futures. Together, we recognize the incredible impact they make every day in our college communities. Learn more about the awards and winners below!
Each year, we have an opportunity to honor the exceptional faculty, staff, and student services professionals whose teamwork and dedication are transforming lives and empowering futures. Together, we recognize the incredible impact they make every day in our college communities. Learn more about the awards and winners below!
Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) - $5,000
Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) - $5,000
2025 Winner: Dr. Andrea Palmisano
2025 Winner: Dr. Andrea Palmisano
Professor of Psychology, Tidewater Community College
Professor of Psychology, Tidewater Community College
The purpose of the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) is to recognize excellence in teaching in Virginia’s Community Colleges. CATE is awarded annually to one teaching faculty member in the VCCS who distinctly represents the teaching excellence found at VCCS college(s).
The Award: The award provides the recipient with a VCCS stole and $5,000. One nomination per campus will be accepted.
Chancellor’s Award for Student Services Excellence (CASSE) - $5,000
Chancellor’s Award for Student Services Excellence (CASSE) - $5,000
2025 Winner: Allison Dooley
2025 Winner: Allison Dooley
Recruitment Coordinator, Student Affairs-Enrollment Center, Virginia Western Community College
Recruitment Coordinator, Student Affairs-Enrollment Center, Virginia Western Community College
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Services Excellence recognizes an exceptional member of a college’s Student Services department who has consistently gone above and beyond their regular duties to provide outstanding support and assistance to students. This prestigious award aims to honor individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing the overall student experience and have significantly impacted the lives of students through their dedication, professionalism, and exceptional service.
The Award: The award provides the recipient with a plaque and $5,000. One nomination per campus will be accepted.
George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty - $ Varies
George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty - $ Varies
2025 Winners:
2025 Winners:
North: Cara Cammaroto, Music Adjunct Faculty, Northern Virginia Community College
North: Cara Cammaroto, Music Adjunct Faculty, Northern Virginia Community College
Central: Dr. Edmund Potter, History Adjunct Faculty, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Central: Dr. Edmund Potter, History Adjunct Faculty, Piedmont Virginia Community College
South: Katherine Earwood, Dental Assisting/Health Sciences Adjunct Faculty, Mountain Empire Community College
South: Katherine Earwood, Dental Assisting/Health Sciences Adjunct Faculty, Mountain Empire Community College
West: Joan Bryant, Dental Assisting/Health Sciences Adjunct Faculty Virginia Western Community College
West: Joan Bryant, Dental Assisting/Health Sciences Adjunct Faculty Virginia Western Community College
East: Jesse Fortune, History Adjunct Faculty, Rappahannock Community College
East: Jesse Fortune, History Adjunct Faculty, Rappahannock Community College
Friends and family of Dr. George B. Vaughan established an endowment fund in 2014 to honor Dr. Vaughan’s distinguished service of over 40 years as a national leader in community college education. The George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty serves as a legacy of Dr. Vaughan’s achievements and as an inspiration for VCCS faculty. The award recognizes one outstanding VCCS adjunct faculty member per region for a total of up to five awards to be bestowed per year. The George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty is the first VCCS award to recognize the approximately 4,600 adjunct faculty members who are making an impact with countless students across Virginia.
The Award: Each Vaughan Award recipient receives an honorarium paid before the end of the spring semester.
*This award is made possible in part by support from the George B. Vaughan Leadership Endowment Fund through the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
Excellence in Education Awards (EIE) - $ Varies
Excellence in Education Awards (EIE) - $ Varies
2025 Winners:
2025 Winners:
Award for Developing Virginia’s Talent: Eastern Shore Community College Career Services Department
Award for Developing Virginia’s Talent: Eastern Shore Community College Career Services Department
Hayleigh Bradbury, Career Services Mentor
Hayleigh Bradbury, Career Services Mentor
Dr. James Shaeffer, President
Dr. James Shaeffer, President
Eve Belote, Director of Business and Finance
Eve Belote, Director of Business and Finance
Award for Reaching More Virginians: Piedmont Virginia Community College Prison Education Program
Award for Reaching More Virginians: Piedmont Virginia Community College Prison Education Program
Julie Olive, Coordinator of Prison Education
Julie Olive, Coordinator of Prison Education
Award for Excellence in Delivering Education to Today’s Learners: Empowering Faculty to Foster Student Success: Teaching Today’s Learners in Hybrid Courses at NOVA, Northern Virginia Community College
Award for Excellence in Delivering Education to Today’s Learners: Empowering Faculty to Foster Student Success: Teaching Today’s Learners in Hybrid Courses at NOVA, Northern Virginia Community College
Dr. Hong Wang, Professor/Associate Director of Instructional Technology Training
Dr. Hong Wang, Professor/Associate Director of Instructional Technology Training
Award for Supporting Today’s Learners – Creating a Culture of Care: Boxes for Break, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Award for Supporting Today’s Learners – Creating a Culture of Care: Boxes for Break, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Amanda Key, SOSAC Director
Amanda Key, SOSAC Director
Shannon Meade, Student Resource Center Manager
Shannon Meade, Student Resource Center Manager
Kelsey Waters, Provider Network Coordinator
Kelsey Waters, Provider Network Coordinator
The Excellence in Education (EIE) Awards acknowledge exceptional college work in support of the VCCS mission. The Excellence in Education awards program provides an annual opportunity to showcase, celebrate, and share ideas and innovations across the VCCS that contribute to improving student outcomes and reaching our strategic goals.
The Award: Categories vary by year, and the winning project/program in each category will be awarded a certificate and funds for the college.
Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence - $ Varies
Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence - $ Varies
2025 Winner: Dr. Anne Allison
2025 Winner: Dr. Anne Allison
Professor of Biology & Life Sciences, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Professor of Biology & Life Sciences, Piedmont Virginia Community College
This award is funded through the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
A fund supporting the Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence was created by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education in November 2013 to honor Dr. Susan S. Wood’s 40 years of service to Virginia’s Community Colleges. The Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence recognizes a VCCS faculty member who demonstrates faculty excellence, dedication to students, and academic leadership.
The Award: The Susan S. Wood Professor will receive an honorarium paid at the end of the spring semester.
2025 New Horizons Awards Ceremony Photos
2025 New Horizons Awards Ceremony Photos
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