Four employees will represent Snead State Community College as part of the Class of 2025 Chancellor’s Awards, a statewide recognition program honoring excellence across the Alabama Community College System.

The honorees will be formally recognized during a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 23, in Montgomery. The Chancellor’s Awards celebrate outstanding employees in four categories: Administrator, Academic Faculty, Technical Faculty, and Support Staff.

This year’s Snead State nominees are Executive Assistant for Academic Affairs Tonya Clowdus in the Administrator category; Mathematics Division Director and Instructor Dr. Caitlin Dickerson in the Academic Faculty category; Aviation Program Director and Instructor Nick Sauls in the Technical Faculty category; and Student Services Representative Lisa Lee in the Support Staff category.

With more than 33 years of dedicated service to Snead State, Tonya Clowdus currently serves as the Executive Assistant for Academic Affairs. Throughout her tenure, she has been deeply involved in numerous institutional committees and initiatives, including the OneACCS Student and DegreeWorks teams, the Recruiting Committee, Commencement Committee, Parson Days Committee, and the Quality Enhancement Plan Committees in both 2012-13 and 2022-23. She is also a graduate of the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy and a two-time previous nominee for the Chancellor’s Award in the Support Staff category.

“I’m truly humbled to represent Snead State in the Administrator category,” Ms. Clowdus said.
Dr. Caitlin Dickerson is in her fifth year at Snead State, where she serves as Mathematics Division Director. A Snead State alumna, she continued her academic journey by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Jacksonville State University, National Board Certification in Mathematics, a Master’s degree from the University of West Alabama, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from Liberty University.

Alongside her teaching and leadership responsibilities, Dr. Dickerson played a key role in launching and now overseeing the Parson Pantry, including its grab-and-go station and the Rotary Plate, program, designed to address students’ food insecurities.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be selected for the Chancellor’s Award. Teaching is more than a job for me; it is a calling,” Dr. Dickerson said. “We don’t do this work for the money or the recognition, but moments like this are such a powerful reminder of why I show up every single day—to make a difference, one student at a time. This nomination reaffirms that the time, effort, and care I pour into my teaching have a lasting impact.”

A U.S. Air Force veteran with 20 years of service, Nick Sauls has spent the past three years leading Snead State’s Aviation Program as Division Director. He holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant License and continues to help expand the College’s aviation training offerings.

“I’m appreciative of this prestigious recognition,” Mr. Sauls said.

Snead State alumna Lisa Lee began her service to the College in 2014, working part-time for three and a half years before transitioning to a full-time role. As a Student Services Representative, she assists students with applications, registration, document processing, and general support.

“I am sincerely humbled and grateful to have been nominated,” Ms. Lee said. “I work with such an amazing team and truly love what I do. It is such a great pleasure to assist students, as they are so appreciative of the support.”

Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore praised the dedication and service of this year’s nominees. “Each of these individuals reflects the very best of Snead State—commitment, integrity, and a genuine passion for serving students. Their impact is felt across our campus every day, and we are proud to recognize their hard work through the Chancellor’s Awards.”

The Chancellor’s Awards began 35 years ago to reward and encourage outstanding performance, creativity, and dedicated service. The awards ceremony is held in conjunction with the annual conference hosted by the Alabama Community College Association.