General

Dr. Paula Pando and Dr. Terricita Sass Honored with the Dana Hamel Award

  • Reynolds Community College
  • 05 April 2021

Reynolds President Dr. Paula Pando, and Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Terricita Sass were recently recognized for their contribution as members of the "Opportunity 2027" strategic plan task force.

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"Dr. Sass and I, along with other colleagues in the VCCS were honored with the Dana B. Hamel Award for our work on Opportunity 2027, the new strategic plan recently approved by the State Board for Community Colleges. It is a bold plan, squarely focused on Equity."

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The Dana Hamel* Award is given in recognition of an individual's leadership in serving the mission of Virginia's community colleges, and acknowledges their commitment to public service; to fostering access to higher education; and promoting an understanding of the role of workforce development. This award is the "highest VCCS honor bestowed on an individual or group to recognize an extraordinary accomplishment or deed that exemplifies and advances the values reflected in our mission statement."

Congratulations to Drs. Pando and Sass for a job not just well done, but a job excellently done.

Dana Hamel started life as a watch maker. At 97 in 2020 as he prepared to celebrate his birthday, he looked back on his role in the founding of the VTCS (Virginia Technical College System) that evolved into what we know today as the VCCS. The secret to his long life and success? "Optimism and faith", says Hamel. Read more about this man and his life as a champion of education.