Charlottesville, Va. – December 11, 2020 – Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is proud to announce Professor Jennifer Koster as a recipient of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) 2021 Outstanding Faculty Award. The Outstanding Faculty Award is the Commonwealth’s highest honor for faculty at Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities. These awards recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, research and public service.

“PVCC salutes Jenny Koster on this tremendous accomplishment. Professor Koster is a talented, dedicated faculty member who is committed to providing opportunity for students. She goes the extra mile to help all students succeed. She epitomizes the quality of faculty that students encounter at PVCC,” stated PVCC President Frank Friedman.

Koster is an English professor and the Writing Center coordinator at PVCC. Through her work and classes she builds community and encourages students to explore their interests as potential areas of study. Koster is committed to education and demonstrates this commitment across communities in Virginia. She is founder of the Virginia Community College System’s Learning Assistance Professionals Peer Group, coordinator of the Virginia chapter of the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) and Virginia representative to the SWCA Board. In addition, this year she initiated Virginia’s first statewide tutor collaboration, TuColla-VA.

“Professor Jennifer Koster is a remarkable educator who is truly deserving of the SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award. The award is a testament to her extraordinary dedication to PVCC students,” noted Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Leonda Keniston.

Nominees for the award are selected by the institutions, reviewed by a panel of peers and chosen by a committee of leaders from the public and private sectors. In all, 72 nominations were received this year. This group was narrowed to a field of 20 finalists and then to the 12 recipients. Ms. Koster is the only awardee from a Virginia community college. Each awardee receives a $7,500 cash award underwritten by Dominion Energy and a commemorative engraved award. “I am honored to have been selected for this award,” shared Koster. She continued, “I'm lucky to work in the VCCS, and especially at PVCC, where I've been provided with resources to grow as a teacher and person, and with the support to undertake new ventures. I am continually inspired by my colleagues, our students and the PVCC Writing Center staff.”

Vice President for Instruction and Student Services Dr. John Donnelly stated, “This is a fitting honor for Professor Koster. She is one of the best faculty members we have at PVCC. She is unwavering with her passion for writing and her dedication to the success of our students. There is no one more deserving of this distinction.”

To learn more about the 2021 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award and view the full list of winners visit www.schev.edu/index/institutional/outstanding-faculty-awards.

About Piedmont Virginia Community College
Established in 1972, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a nonresidential two-year institution of higher education that serves Central Virginia – principally, residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. PVCC is one of 23 community colleges in Virginia that comprise the Virginia Community College System. PVCC is committed to providing access to a college education for all who can benefit, an opportunity for each student to reach her/his potential and excellence in all programs and services. Visit www.pvcc.edu.