McHenry County College (MCC) President Dr. Clint Gabbard has been honored with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. This award recognizes college presidents who play an active role in developing student leaders on campus and demonstrate a strong commitment to student success initiatives that foster pathways to completion, transfer, and employment.
Gabbard was one of only 14 college presidents to receive the award nationwide.
“Receiving the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is a great honor, and it reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire MCC community,” said Gabbard. “Our mission has always been to create an inclusive environment that supports student success, and I’m proud of the quality education and experience we offer at MCC. I remain committed to supporting our students, and I’m grateful for their trust and partnership as they work toward their academic and career goals.”
The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is Phi Theta Kappa’s most prestigious award for community college presidents and is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Phi Theta Kappa’s longest-serving Board of Directors Chair and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus.
"Dr. Gabbard's continued support is one reason for our chapter's continued success,” said Heidi Boring, co-advisor of MCC’s PTK chapter. “He collaborates with us to brainstorm on projects, encourages faculty and staff to connect with students in new ways, helps to fundraise for scholarships and new buildings with innovative programs, and works closely with industry advisory groups. Through it all, Dr. Gabbard remains focused on how each initiative will support the success of our students.”
Since his arrival in 2016 as MCC’s eighth president, Gabbard has been instrumental in leading the College’s entrepreneurial spirit, including the addition of facilities and programs such as the Center for Agrarian Learning, Liebman Institute for Science Innovation, Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, and the University Center at MCC. He has also driven the development of three new centers of innovation and provided transformational leadership in the growth of short-term skills programs, professional and personal development, and partnership with the community.
“These college presidents have spent years making a meaningful impact on student success,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “The students know they are the priority and always at the center of their leadership. This award is their way of saying thank you.”
Recipients of the award will be honored at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, April 3-5 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.