Four Meramec faculty and staff receive award for leadership and teaching
BY : CHRIS HUTSON
Staff Writer
The first Board of Trustees meeting this semester celebrated STLCC’s recipients of the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award of 2017. It is an award given to teachers that exhibit exceptional 
leadership and teaching in the community college field. Four of Meramec’s professors received the honor.
CYNTHIA CLAUSEN
Manager of Academic Support, Clausen was born in Nebraska and has what she called a “farm background.” Clausen grew up mostly in central Illinois, attending school at Southern Illinois University where she earned her teaching degree in English education. She moved on to work for a newspaper in a small town in southern Illinois before teaching high school in Bloomington, later obtaining a master’s degree
in reading.
Clausen said she was surprised that many of her students were not able to read at a high school level. This prompted her to take a break from teaching to learn how to teach others how to read.
“It is its own kind of intelligence if you can help people see the intelligence they have in an area and translate that to a different area,” said Clausen. “It’s making the personal translate into the greater learning experience.”
Of her award, Clausen said only that it is a teacher’s job to help people learn about themselves, connect with each other and find their place in the world.
“I feel like I’m doing what everybody should be doing,” said Clausen. “We who have been around, who have experienced a lot, should be in a good position to help people do that.”
SANELA MESIC
Mesic obtained her bachelor’s from Webster University before finding a position as an academic coach at STLCC’s Florissant Valley campus working with high school students. Seven years ago she became an advisor for TRIO at Meramec. After one year she was promoted to director.
“In terms of how I work with students on campus, I really believe that it is important to begin with the end in mind,” said Mesic. “That helps students visualize that all of these little steps lead somewhere. And, if they visualize that every little step leads somewhere they’re more engaged in the process.”
Mesic credited her award to her “amazing colleagues” who go above and beyond to take care of students.
“I try to be very involved on campus and I’m really interested in promoting student engagement,” said Mesic.
NANCY COLLIER
Both a chemistry professor and Meramec’s General Education Coordinator, Collier received her bachelor’s in chemistry from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, later receiving her Ph.D in the same subject from the University of Texas. Collier moved to St. Louis to work at Washington University.
“I kind of fell into teaching. I was doing research when I came into the St. Louis area, had three children, decided to stay home for a while, was looking for something to do and applied as an adjunct here,” said Collier. “I realized how passionate I was for teaching students and to being with students and opening the doors of chemistry for them.”
After receiving official recognition, Collier said that her true award is watching her students become successful.
“Right now, I’m General Education Coordinator and it fits really well with my idea of teaching students because when we teach students, it’s not just chemistry. I teach them a lot of other skills as they learn the chemistry,” said Collier.
VICTORIA KETTENACKER
Before joining STLCC, Kettenacker worked as the Fiscal and Administrative Manager for the state of Missouri’s Division of Youth Services for 11 years. She began her career at Meramec in March of 2006 in Student Accounts. Six years later she moved to her current position: Manager of Campus
Business Services.
“I am responsible for the cashier’s office, mail services and business services…This position allows me the pleasure of working with students, staff and faculty on a daily basis.”
Kettenacker said that while she is honored to have been chosen as a recipient the honor is more of a
group effort.
“Working at St. Louis Community College for the past 12 years has enabled me to contribute to the success of the college and the success of our students. My hardworking team and the talent of other individuals I work with on a daily basis keeps me motivated and excited about the important work we do as a community college,” said Kettenacker.
