Lenoir Community College Honors 2025 Excellence Award Winners
Lenoir Community College recognized two outstanding employees during its annual Holiday Breakfast on December 16. April Best, Computer Information Technology Program Chair and Instructor, received the Teaching Excellence Award, and Caroline Murphrey, Director of Online Learning and Faculty Development, received the Staff Excellence Award.
Best, who joined LCC in 2022, has quickly become known for her transformational leadership and student-centered approach to teaching. She has revitalized the Computer Information Technology program through creative outreach and marketing efforts, such as the “I.T. Looks Like Me” initiative, while fostering a collaborative culture among faculty. Colleagues note her “can-do” spirit and commitment to students, often going above and beyond to support them both inside and outside the classroom. She has also played a key role in advancing the College’s work on the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) grant application, dedicating extensive time to research, collaboration, and professional development to strengthen LCC’s submission.
Murphrey was recognized for her exceptional leadership and service in strengthening teaching and learning across the College. Over the past year, she has designed and implemented a research-based new faculty onboarding experience, launched a course feedback system focused on instructional quality and continuous improvement, and led the College’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force to develop campus-wide AI guidance. She has also guided LCC through complex federal accessibility requirements, helping ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Murphrey is widely respected for her integrity, collaborative spirit, and unwavering focus on student success. Colleagues describe her as funny, sharp, and deeply committed to making LCC an exceptional place to learn and work.
“These awards celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Hunt, president of Lenoir Community College. “April Best and Caroline Murphrey exemplify excellence through their innovation, service, and commitment to our students and mission. We are proud to recognize their contributions to Lenoir Community College.”
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