Alamance Community College has announced the recipients of its 2025 Excellence in Teaching and Staff Members of the Year Awards. All award winners will be formally recognized during the College’s annual Celebrating Excellence Awards dinner on May 15.

 

ACC employee award recipients are:

 

2025 Faculty Member of the Year  

JERRY HACKNEY

Jerry Hackney is the Department Head of Agricultural Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education with a Minor in Horticulture from NC State University (NCSU) in 1995. He began teaching high school agriculture that same year and began graduate studies at NCSU, earning a Master of Agriculture and Extension Education. In 2010, Hackney took an adjunct teaching position at ACC in its Animal Care and Management Technology program. He became a full-time faculty member in 2017, which led in 2023 to his appointment as Department Head of Agricultural Sciences. His leadership has secured several additional funding sources to enhance the Bill and Nancy Covington Education Center, incorporating new technology and innovative farming practices that prepare students for the future of the industry.

 

2025 Adjunct Instructor of the Year 

TRAVIS HANDY

Travis Handy is an adjunct instructor in ACC’s Fire Protection program. He spent his career serving with the Burlington Fire Department for over 31 years, advancing to the rank of Chief of Operations and Training before his retirement in 2023. While still working full-time with the fire department, he started teaching in ACC's Fire Academy in 2010 before advancing into the curriculum program in 2012. His chief responsibilities in his adjunct role in the Fire Protection program are to assist in developing classes and providing students with the best opportunity to learn about the Fire Service and the challenges and rewards it offers. Handy owns a number of key credentials that include Hazardous Materials Operations Level, NC Emergency Vehicle Operator, NC Driver Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator, and National Incident Management Operations Command and Control. 

 

2025 Workforce and Economic Development Instructor of the Year

AMY MORRISON-DEPUE

Amy Morrison-Depue has worked at ACC as an instructor in the ABLE program since 2020. She previously performed the same instruction in Randolph Community College’s ABLE program. Morrison-Depue has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Education from Youngstown State University. Most of her work experience has consisted of teaching in some capacity, including outdoor education, preschool, elementary school, and working one- on-one with adults who have severe IDD and developmental disabilities. In the ABLE program, Morrison-Depue teaches Basic Academics Reading, Writing, and Math to help students become more independent in society and to feel good about their contributions to it. She has been described as an energetic and dramatic instructor who tries to provide lots of hands-on learning for her students. Through her work in the ABLE Program, and her innovative Friday classes exploring art and science, she builds confidence, skills, and resilience in her students, empowering them to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

 

2025 Staff Member of the Year

DARSELL HADLEY

Darsell Hadley is the Administrative Assistant for ACC’s Wellness and Student Support department. She originally began working at ACC part-time for Public Safety after retiring from the Burlington Police Department with 30 years in its Records Division. Hadley started full-time in ACC’s Financial Aid in late 2021 before moving to Student Support Center in 2023. Her responsibilities include managing and serving as the key point of contact for student needs, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and feel valued. Hadley supports the ACC campus community in numerous other activities, including as a member of the Team Grow Committee, serving on the ACC Foundation’s Giving Campaign, mentoring new team members, and helping the campus food pantry. Hadley is known for being quick to offer a helping hand to her coworkers.

 

2025 Part-time Staff Member of the Year

SUSAN TURNER

Susan Turner brings a wealth of knowledge and heart to her advising work in ACC’s Health Sciences programs, helping students navigate their academic journeys and prepare for careers in healthcare since 2022. Retired after 32 years as a Career Development Coordinator/Teacher with the Alamance Burlington School System, Turner particularly focuses on ACC’s Dental Assisting II program, helping to facilitate the Clinical Application process for students. She has also facilitated and proctored TEAS assessment. Beyond ACC, Turner is a role model in the local community, serving as the head coach for the Elon Cheer Team. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Elon University, and holds a Graduate Level Certification in Vocational Evaluation from East Carolina University.