NORFOLK, Neb. – At Northeast Community College, Sara Barritt is known for her efforts to help students succeed, doing whatever she can to help them flourish.
Barritt, who is an accounting instructor, began teaching at Northeast 17 years ago. Her inspirational story was shared this year at the 2024 Achievement Awards ceremony in September in the Lifelong Learning Center and then again more recently at the NCCA annual conference.
Leah Barrett, Northeast president, called her a “pillar of strength and leadership” when she introduced Sara Barritt as the recipient of the NCCA-Northeast Community College Faculty Award. The honor was bestowed at the Nebraska Community College Association (NCCA) annual conference, which was held last month in Norfolk.
“In addition to teaching a full schedule of courses each semester, Sara often takes on additional courses to ensure Northeast is meeting the needs of students,” Barrett said. “Sara is an enthusiastic educator with proven communication and interpersonal skills. She uses humor when interacting with her students and encourages them to ask questions and take ownership of their learning.”
Charlene Widner, vice president of Educational Services, nominated Barritt.
“She has a broad approach to the classroom experience and is not tied to a traditional lecture style, but successfully strives to engage a diverse cross section of students, including returning students, and students from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds, during each class session,” Widener said. “Sara is positive and upbeat in the classroom. She uses humor when interacting with her students and encourages them to ask questions and take ownership of their learning.”
Widener said in addition to serving students, Barritt is always willing to volunteer to share her knowledge and experience with other faculty. She mentors new faculty members and represents faculty on both the Strategy and Improvement Team and the master facilities team for the new Maclay Building.
Wade Herley, dean of the Business and Humanities Department, echoed Barritt’s dedication to students and Northeast.
“Sara has an unwavering commitment to the college and our students and is always willing to take on extra to make sure our program is the best it can be,” Herley said. “I am happy to see Sara get the recognition she deserves for her outstanding work.”
Prior to Northeast, Barritt worked as an auditor for public accounting firms in Norfolk, Lincoln and Oklahoma City. Her family includes her husband Bill, son Coleson, who is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and daughter Morgan, who is a junior at Norfolk High School.
Faculty Award winner
Sara Barritt (right), the NCCA-Northeast Community College Faculty Award winner, is congratulated by Northeast President Leah Barrett (left).
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