SCC's Benedict Receives National Award

Published: 10/13/2009

Benedict, who also was named ACCT’s 2009 Central Regional Award recipient, was presented with both the national and regional awards for Professional Board Staff Member at the 2009 ACCT Community College Leadership Congress in San Francisco, on Friday, Oct. 9.

In nominating Benedict for the award, Jean Poggemeier Ehlmann, president of SCC’s Board of Trustees, said, “In all interactions with the Board, the college team, and with visitors and guests, Elaine is an excellent representative of this institution. She is highly regarded for her integrity and her ability to work as a team member as well as to initiate new projects and activities.”

“Elaine is exceedingly capable, attentive, and thorough in her work, and always professional in tone and manner,” said John McGuire, SCC president. “This award is well-deserved, and is a most-fitting recognition of her outstanding work.”

Benedict, of St. Charles, has 37 years of experience in service to top administrators in both private and public sectors – including 22 years in education. She is responsible for providing organizational support to the SCC president and the Board of Trustees by ensuring smooth and efficient office and records administration and by serving as a main point of contact with community leaders, legislators, parents, students, faculty, and staff.

Benedict served on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) from 2004-2008. She was elected as vice president in 2005 and later advanced to the office of president of the Administrative/Professional Department of MCCA. In addition, she served as MCCA Membership Committee liaison for SCC from 1991-2006.

“I’m grateful to ACCT for recognizing this group of professionals and the work they do to help students succeed,” said Benedict. “I have accepted it on behalf of all other executive assistants and professional board staff members throughout the nation, and I’m thankful to the SCC Board of Trustees for nominating me.”

ACCT annually recognizes one exemplary trustee, chief executive, faculty member, professional board staff, and institutional equity in each of its five regions. ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States. ACCT's Web site is www.acct.org.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.