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NWCCD honors Master Distance Educator of the Year
Nikki Smiley
Nikki Smiley, Health and Human Performance instructor for the Northern Wyoming Community College District, has been selected as the 2015 NWCCD Master Distance Educator of the Year, college officials announced recently.
Smiley will be recognized at the 13th annual WyDEC Distance Education Conference awards banquet Tuesday, May 19, in Douglas at Eastern Wyoming Community College’s branch campus.
“Nikki is an extremely passionate and enthusiastic professional in her field and is highly respected by her colleagues and students,” said Dr. Erin Nitschke, NWCCD Director of Health and Human Performance. “She believes that by helping her clients and students find motivational and creative ways to engage in physical activity and adopt healthy lifestyle practices, each individual will be able to live his or her ‘best life.’”
Since 2009, Smiley has been a valued instructor in the college’s Health and Human Performance department.
She holds a bachelor’s of science in Fitness Management and her master’s in Health and Physical Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Smiley also possesses certifications as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist.
“Nikki has successfully managed to develop the majority of online course offerings for her department, thus elevating the department’s ability to recruit students for a variety of programs and certificates, including Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Physical Education, Athletic Coaching and Personal Trainer Education,” said Dr. Nitschke.
Smiley’s commitment to expanding online course offerings at Sheridan College and Gillette College is outstanding, said Stoney Gaddy, NWCCD Director of Distance and Distributive Learning.
“Nikki’s creative flare and commitment to excellence has allowed her to develop online course offerings that utilize a variety of technological tools, information delivery methods, and academic assessment activities,” Dr. Nitschke said. “She also approaches her online course creation with the learning community in mind.”
