Tonya Strickland, who chairs the divisions of Learning Support and Arts and Sciences at Bainbridge College, has been named one of 10 national Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates for 2010 by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina and Cengage Learning.

The award recipients were chosen from 97 nominees from throughout the country.

Strickland, who was formally recognized at the Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience Feb. 14 in Denver, Colo., was nominated by BC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Mariam Dittmann for her efforts on campus that included developing Foundations for Success, a first-year experience course.

“Dr. Strickland created the curriculum for our course for incoming freshman,” said Tammy Hinson, BC instructor of reading. “As an instructor for it, I can truly say that this awesome curriculum not only engages learners, but it also engages the instructor. It teaches academic skills and life skills through pure innovation. She represents the best in all of us as educators.”

In its 21st year, the award honors college faculty, administrators, staff and students for their outstanding work on behalf of first-year students and for the impact their efforts have on the students and culture of their institutions.