Sheila R. Jacobs has received the 2012 Dr. Jim Ed McGee Award as the most outstanding graduate student at Arkansas Tech University.
Mrs. Carolyn McGee (photographed, middle), widow of Dr. Jim Ed McGee, and Dr. Mary Gunter (photographed, left), dean of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College, presented Jacobs with her award.
Jacobs (photographed, right) will earn an Educational Specialist degree in May. It will mark the fourth time she has graduated from Arkansas Tech.
“Arkansas Tech has been a second home to me since 1985,” wrote Jacobs in materials related to the McGee Award.
Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree in English education, a master’s degree in secondary education and English and a master’s degree in teaching, leadership and learning from Arkansas Tech.
The 1988 recipient the Margaret Young Award for most outstanding female senior student at Arkansas Tech, Jacobs was president of the Student Activities Board during her time as an undergraduate student.
She went on to teach English at her other alma mater — Russellville High School — from 1988-93.
Jacobs served as an adjunct composition instructor at Arkansas Tech from 1993-96 before returning to the public schools as an English teacher, journalism teacher, yearbook advisor and newspaper advisor at Clarksville High School from 1996-2003.
Her continuing pursuit of higher education at Arkansas Tech opened a new door in 2003 — an opportunity to enter school administration.
Jacobs was director of curriculum, federal programs and equity for the Lavaca School District during the 2003-04 school year.
She returned home to Russellville in 2004, and she has been actively involved in both the Russellville School District and Arkansas Tech ever since.
Jacobs has worked as director of secondary curriculum and instruction and district test coordinator in the Russellville School District for the past eight years. During that same time frame, she has taught curriculum courses as an adjunct instructor in the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning.
“Sheila is highly respected by the students enrolled in her classes,” wrote Dr. Mona Chadwick, assistant professor of educational leadership at Arkansas Tech. “As a student, Sheila is extremely conscientious about her work. You could not find a more deserving person for the Jim Ed McGee Award. Sheila Jacobs is devoted to the children of Arkansas and truly makes a difference for them through her leadership.”
Dr. Jim Ed McGee served as vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech from 1973 until the time of his passing in fall 1992. His service to Arkansas Tech before attaining the rank of vice president included time as associate professor of education, director of institutional research, director of institutional services and director of development and public relations.
Click here to learn more about the Arkansas Tech Graduate College.
]]>
