Two Wor-Wic Community College professors were recently honored with the 2025-2026 President’s Distinguished Faculty Award, sponsored by the Wor-Wic Foundation.
Dr. David Mongor-Lizarrabengoa, associate professor of Spanish, and Melissa Reddish, associate professor of English, were presented with the awards by Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of Wor-Wic. They were the top two chosen by a faculty peer review committee from nominations from faculty, staff and students. Both awardees received multiple nominations.
For Mongor-Lizarrabengoa, nominators cited his outstanding work on the Echoes & Visions reading series, which brought many high-profile writers to Wor-Wic. He also helped lead the Community Arts Showcase of Excellence event. He created several new courses and served on multiple committees and faculty council. A student who nominated him said, “Dr. Mongor believed in me when many may not have. He took the time to teach me many of the important aspects I needed for my communication degree at Salisbury University.” The student added, “As a Wor-Wic student, he greatly assisted me by simply listening to me and sharing my challenges. He never hesitated to inquire about what I was learning and ask if he could help me in any way.”
Reddish’s nominators mentioned her dedication as lead negotiator as part of WWCCFA, in addition to her collaboration with other faculty to build the English concentration program and two new courses she developed, Ancient and Modern World Literature, which were embraced by students. “Melissa exemplifies excellence in teaching, service and scholarship. As a colleague, I have seen firsthand the energy and dedication she brings to her work as an instructor, inspiring students through her enthusiasm for learning and her commitment to their success both inside and outside the classroom,” one nominator wrote. A student who nominated her said, “She consistently goes above and beyond in encouraging her students — she gives very personalized, detailed, helpful feedback, and her enthusiasm is unmatched. She makes the class fun and creative. … My confidence in writing and critical thinking has definitely improved because of her commitment and engaging teaching style.”
Mongor-Lizarrabengoa and Reddish were honored at a board of trustees meeting and at the college’s commencement ceremony.
