SANFORD - Melissa Fogarty, Central Carolina Community College Medical Assisting Program Director and Chatham Health Sciences Center Site Director, is the 2022-2023 CCCC Faculty Member of the Year.

"Having the opportunity to do this job is the best reward," said Ms. Fogarty, who was a finalist for the North Carolina Community College System's Excellence in Teaching award. "I love Central Carolina Community College and what it represents. We serve the students and community with love and grace. I am grateful for the guidance and support of my team, colleagues, and college leaders."

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman says of Ms. Fogarty: "She absolutely believes that a successful program requires a successful relationship between faculty and students and she models that every day for her team. I have watched countless students over the years speak about Ms. Fogarty's compassion and advocacy during their pinning ceremony comments. I have also seen the genuine fellowship that exists among the medical assisting faculty ... and I believe that much of this can be attributed to the supportive environment Melissa's leadership fosters.

"Melissa knows the value of 'taking students from wherever they are to as far as they can go.' She experienced it as an adult CCCC student many years ago. She excelled then (I know, because I taught her) and she is excelling now. What a great example of what we mean to the communities we serve," said Dr. Chapman.

Dr. Mark Hall, CCCC Chatham County Provost, says Ms. Fogarty "exemplifies the highest quality and standards of instruction, recruitment, support, retention, and success of students as well as the professionalism and development of her colleagues and coworkers. ... She reliably surpasses expectations and models how all community college employees, not only instructors, should approach careers and public service.

"She has incredible compassion for her students and truly embraces the college's vision of exceptional learning for all," said Dr. Denise Martin, CCCC Dean of Health Sciences and Professional Services. "Everything that she does, from advising, to teaching, to program administration, she does with student success in mind. She creates an exceptional learning environment in her program by focusing on meeting the needs of the students and providing them with every resource they need to be successful."

Ms. Fogarty, who began her CCCC teaching career in 2001, received her Associate of Applied Science degree from Central Carolina Community College and her Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College.