Judy Martin-Hall was the recipient of the 2007 Anne R. Snyder Department Chair Excellence Award.

At the time of the award, she had been Chair of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department for 16 years. Under her leadership, enrollment in

the ESL Program grew from 500 students in 1991 to more than 5,300 students in 2007 and it has been recognized as a leader in the state. In 2006, The ESL Program was recognized as one of the five best in Florida by the Florida Department of Education and

was the only community college to receive this honor. Also in 2006, the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education recognized this program as one of the most exemplary in the nation.

The success of the ESL Program can be attributed to Judy’s sense of vision and her ability to work closely and positively with her team. She directed a primarily part-time staff and she has sustained a high morale throughout the entire department. She scheduled and managed faculty to provide instruction on all five of IRCC’s campuses and at 18

additional site locations.

In addition to helping students improve their literacy skills and become American citizens, she has assisted students with their transition into GED programs and postsecondary programs. She created an English for Academic Purposes program to provide students with additional support and tutoring after they enrolled in college programs.

She also encouraged her higher level ESL students to participate in Service Learning by assisting college level Spanish students. She also developed an ESL/CNA course to assist second language students with attaining certification as Nursing Assistants. This

was the only such program in the four-county area and the pilot class’s completion and pass rate was higher than students not facing the barrier of a second language.

Judy Martin-Hall receives her award from Dr. Edwin Massey.

August 16, 2007