Outstanding teaching, leadership recognized
Mary Donahee-Rader, Associate Professor of Medical Assisting and Program Director; and Kristin Fruth, Associate Professor of Biology and Department Chair, are Schoolcraft College’s 2021 League Excellence Awards recipients.
“Mary and Kristin are tremendous leaders on campus and in their respective departments. They take a genuine interest in the success of their programs and students.”
Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer
The award is sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College to celebrate outstanding contributions and leadership by community college faculty. Both will be honored, along with other outstanding faculty from community colleges across the country, at the annual Innovations Conference to be held online February 28-March 3.
“Mary and Kristin are tremendous leaders on campus and in their respective departments,” said Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer. “They take a genuine interest in the success of their programs and students.”
Professor Donahee-Rader was part of the first graduating class of Medical Assistants at Schoolcraft College and has been at the College for more than 20 years. She’s worked hard to maintain a high standard in her programs.
- 95% of the 2018 Admission cohort of Medical Assistants have completed the program.
- 100% of the responding surveyed employers of Schoolcraft College Medical Assisting Graduates are highly satisfied with the graduates’ ability to perform their duties and their professional behavior.
- The Medical Assisting program at Schoolcraft College has a job placement rate of 91% for students who graduated in 2018.
- The national credential passage rate for 2018 graduates is 90%.
In addition, Professor Donahee-Rader has been instrumental in establishing apprenticeship relationships with IHA and Beaumont. Further, she is also very involved with the local community, including organizing drives for the Wayne County Family Shelter and Garden City Middle School.
Professor Fruth became the Biology Department Chair during the pandemic. Despite the many challenges professors and students faced, she took on the responsibility with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. As Department Chair, she was organized, responsive and transparent, and as a professor, she was tirelessly eager to absorb and apply new ways to engage students remotely.
Colleagues note that Professor Fruth continuously surprises them with her energy for learning new things to bring into the classroom and to share with her colleagues. She also has a genuine positivity and welcoming mindset interviewing and hiring new part-time colleagues to join the Biology department. Her leadership and teaching ability are valued and appreciated in the Biology department.