SKYCTC’s Dean Stephanie Tolliver Hyman Wins National Award

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Dean of Arts and Humanities, Stephanie Tolliver Hyman, has been named the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) 2025 recipient of the Vashti Muse and Maxine Elmont Award for Outstanding Alumnus of a Student Success Program. This award recognizes an alumnus of a student success program who has distinguished himself/ herself in an educational career and other areas of life. During her undergraduate years at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Hyman was a member of TRIO Student Support Services as a first-generation, low-income student. The program was critical in helping her decide to pursue a career in higher education.

While a TRIO member, Hyman served as a peer mentor for other program participants and worked as a peer tutor in English, Spanish, Communication, and Algebra. Dean Hyman is a strong advocate for first generation students and federal TRIO programs because of the incredible difference they make in students' lives. She was nominated for the award by Dr. James B. McCaslin, Acting Executive Director of the KCTCS Project Management Office and Provost of Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College. Under Dr. J's leadership, Dean Hyman served as a judge for the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP)'s annual McNair Scholars Research Conference.

Dean Hyman will be presented with the award at the 49th Annual Conference for the National Organization for Student Success which will be held in New Orleans in February 2025. There, she will have an opportunity to speak about her journey as a first-generation student who has had a rewarding career in higher education helping students like herself succeed.

The award is named for Vashti Muse, Ed.S., a 50-plus years veteran educator who was devoted to developmental students not only in the classroom but outside as well, investing much of her own time and resources to helping students overcome personal challenges to stay in school. She was a NOSS president, NOSS award winner, NOSS conference chair and a devoted NOSS Emeritus Cabinet member. The award is also named for Maxine Elmont, Ed.D., a veteran educator and longtime Chair of NOSS’s Workforce Development Network. She was a Professor of Social Sciences and Professional Studies at Massachusetts Bay Community College. In addition, she was a NOSS award winner and a lifetime NOSS Chapter member of LAANE.