Two familiar names are Schoolcraft College's 2020 League Excellence Awards recipients – Shawn J. Loving, Certified Master Chef and Department Chair Culinary Arts, and Coley McLean, Assistant Professor, Welding.

The award is sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College to celebrate outstanding contributions and leadership by community college faculty.  Both will be honored, along with other outstanding faculty from community colleges across the country, at the annual Innovations Conference to be held online March 1-4.

“All of our faculty have faced tremendous challenges teaching during these times,” said Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer. “These challenges are especially acute in programs such as Culinary Arts and Welding where hands-on experience is a necessity. Both Shawn and Coley have done an outstanding job creatively teaching their subjects in a safe manner so our students receive the proper training and skills.”

Loving, a Schoolcraft College alum, has been a full-time instructor since 2005, and has won numerous awards and medals from the American Culinary Federation. His most recent—and highest— honor was to earn the Certified Master Chef designation. Loving is now one of 68 CMCs in the nation. Over the summer, he worked with the NBA to supervise culinary operations and has implemented key learnings into Schoolcraft College’s operations.

McLean is an Assistant Professor in Schoolcraft College’s Welding Technology department and serves as the Department Representative. She joined Schoolcraft College in 2014, bringing 16 years of outstanding experience as a welder/fabricator, lead structural welder, consultant, foundry technician, business owner and educator. McLean is a nationally certified welding inspector (CWI) and welding educator (CWE), is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified, and recently attained the credential of Senior Certified Welding Inspector through the American Welding Society (AWS).