2025 Award Winners
Awards will be presented at HI-TEC on Wednesday, July 23, Noon–1:00 p.m. at the Awards Luncheon.
Educator-of-the-Year Award
This award represents HI-TEC’s commitment to recognize community college faculty who make significant contributions to the education and training of today’s technology workforce. Nominees for the award must have had a demonstrated broader impact on technology education on both a local and national level. The Educator-of-the-Year Award recognizes a community college educator for outstanding contributions to advanced technological education.
Dr. Christian Servin, Associate Professor of Computer Science, El Paso Community College
Dr. Christian Servin has led transformative efforts in technological education at the community college level and beyond. In 2022, he became the point of contact for the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, aligning CAE-CD’s efforts with the National Centers of Academic Excellence. His leadership contributed to the development of EPCC’s Certificate in Data Analytics, a multidisciplinary program designed to address regional real-world challenges.
Christian has spearheaded regional hackathons and datathons focused on solving local issues in collaboration with workforce and industry partners. These events have enhanced student engagement and strengthened ties with organizations such as local electric companies (for real-world data), Microsoft (for infrastructure support), and White Sands Missile Range (for professional development opportunities).
Christian’s flagship initiative, Hack the Border, empowers students to understand the regional importance of cyber-defense through curricular integration, extracurricular competitions, and real-world applications. His leadership in hosting events like the Fall 2024 Hack the Border—which incorporated NCyTE’s “Industry Nights”—brought together over 30 regional employers and educators
Industry Recognition Award
This award represents HI-TEC’s commitment to recognize industry colleagues who make significant contributions to the education and training of today’s technology workforce. Nominees for the award must have had a demonstrated broader impact on technology education on both a local and national level. The Industry Recognition Award recognizes key industry personnel for outstanding contributions to promote advanced technological education.
Lauren Alder and Eric Batten, Texas Instruments
Lauren Alder and Eric Batten of Texas Instruments have been advocates for education programs in micro and nano technologies for over a decade. As leads of TI’s community college internship and apprenticeship programs, they have provided hundreds of internship opportunities.
TI’s commitment to strengthening the semiconductor technician workforce was further demonstrated following the MNT-EC-sponsored Semiconductor Convening, which included participation from over 40 companies. TI was the only industry partner to engage proactively afterward, helping to shape a strategic plan to support the technician workforce. This led Lauren and Eric to play a key role in organizing and launching the Advanced Technology Technician Training (AT3) program, which has provided over 350 community college students with paid internship opportunities at TI and other semiconductor industry partners. The AT3 program was made possible through TI’s unwavering commitment and advocacy.
Innovative Program Award
This award represents HI-TEC’s commitment to recognize innovation in advanced technology education. The Innovative Program Award is designed to recognize a team of advanced technology education professionals that has designed and implemented a significant innovation, which has led to a positive impact on student enrollment, retention, and/or advanced technological education.
St. Charles Community College, Technology Building Renovation, Dr. Rex McKanry
St. Charles Community College set its sights on the future with a project aimed to enhance student engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cutting-edge learning. Classrooms in the SCC Technology Building were renovated into interactive, specialized high-tech spaces for information technology, programming, engineering, business technology, graphic design, multimedia, and web development programs. The result provided access to tools and resources that encourage collaborative design, planning, and development of projects aligned with today’s AI-informed technology.
The redesign has increased student activity in the building. Students not only play in the eSport space, but they observe while others use the classroom for VR and game development. Multiple departments use the production studio to create videos, commercials, and podcasts. Students appreciate the technology-enhanced classrooms and improved collaboration spaces. Industry leaders have praised the high-tech environment, noting its resemblance to facilities found at universities.
By investing in high-impact, cost-effective renovations, SCC has transformed the student experience, setting a new standard for community colleges. Thoughtful design and innovative technology drive engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and prepare students for the future workforce.
NEW! Unsung Hero Award
This award recognizes an individual who plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in supporting an NSF ATE-funded grant. This award honors a support person whose dedication, organization, and effort often go unrecognized but are vital to the success of the project. This award acknowledges their unwavering commitment, resourcefulness, and the essential support they provide in advancing technology education and workforce development.
Janet Pinhorn, Higher Education Coordination and Support at MNT-EC
We are pleased to recognize Janet Pinhorn as this year’s winner of the Unsung Hero Award. Janet has a long and distinguished record of unwavering dedication, behind-the-scenes leadership, and exceptional contributions to advancing technological education and workforce development through NSF ATE-funded initiatives. Janet is currently the Program Manager for Rio Salado College’s ATE grant project Supporting Micro and Nano Technicians through Hybrid Teaching Methods. She has been a steadfast pillar of support for numerous other ATE-funded initiatives, including MNT-EC’s Talking Technicians Podcast, the Journal of Advanced Technological Education (J ATE), and the AT3 technician internship program. The success of these projects owes much to Janet’s commitment to excellence, tireless organizational efforts, and ability to manage complex projects with precision.