Pankey And Wright To Address Graduates At CSCC’s Fall Commencement Ceremony

  • Friday, November 30, 2018
Jana Pankey
Jana Pankey

Cleveland State Community College will hold its annual fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. Jana Pankey and Tracey L. Wright have been chosen as the keynote speakers for the occasion since both were recognized at the spring commencement ceremony for being selected as the 2018 Distinguished Faculty and Staff Members. 
 
Ms. Wright was the recipient of the Distinguished Staff award presented each year to an individual who has performed meritorious service to Cleveland State—above and beyond the expectations of the job. This award is open to any CSCC employee other than those classified as executive, administrator or faculty. 

Ms. Wright began her career at Cleveland State in 2011. According to her nomination form submitted by a co-worker, “Tracey has worked tirelessly for Cleveland State and all of the surrounding communities since moving here in 2010. Her loyalty to and support of Cleveland State is outstanding. Her work ethic is tireless and her drive is impeccable.” 

Another nominator said, “She comes to work early and leaves late in the evening and does this with a positive attitude. She researches and studies ways to improve efficiencies within her departments and encourages cost savings among her employees. She is always willing to accept new responsibilities. She works seamlessly with all departments on campus while organizing college events. Our events on campus are successful in large part to her organizational abilities and her attention to details. She is always there for our students—putting them first, meeting their needs, offering encouragement and advice.” 

In addition to numerous campus committees, she also serves as a Tennessee Promise mentor and teaches First Year Seminar classes on campus. She currently serves on the board for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce as vice chair of Community Development, the Polk County Board of Directors, Ocoee Regional Health Corporation, Chair-ries Jubilee Committee, host parent to Rotary Youth Exchange Students, and Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region.
 
She currently serves as assistant to the president for Community Relations and Special Programs at Cleveland State.  "In this role, she strives to help develop and maintain positive relationships in the community as she represents the college," officials said.  "She also plays a role in planning some of the major events at the college.  For the past year and half, she has been working closely with the Communications Department and helping to implement the campus communications plan."

Ms. Pankey was the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award given each year to a member of the Cleveland State faculty in recognition of meritorious service to the college and community. 

Ms. Pankey came to the college in 2003. She currently serves as an associate professor, Social Work Program director and Social Science Department chair. According to her nomination form, “Jana is an exemplary teacher and advisor, and the high regard in which she is held by her students is evidenced by the fact that they selected her as the Outstanding Instructor in 2012-2013 and again in 2014-2015, and as Favorite Advisor in 2012-2013 and again in 2016-2017.”

Her various experiences have included coordinating an annual Multicultural Fair for the campus, community and the students for eight years, a “Free Store” organized by her and social work students each December for families in need, helping to coordinate a Veteran’s Day Ceremony each November to honor our veterans, creating and distributing “crisis packs” to domestic violence shelters, The Ronald McDonald House, and Homeless Coalitions in our community, helping students create community resource notebooks to distribute to various social service agencies, and co-sponsoring the Sexual Assault Awareness Event on campus each April.  

She also serves on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Social Work Advisory Board, the Southern Adventist University Social Work Advisory Board, Bradley Central High School Human Services Advisory Council, chair of the Cleveland State Social Work Advisory Board, Tennessee Specific Industry Certification Department of Education Work Group, and faculty advisor for the Cleveland State Social Work Club. 

 For those who are unable to attend the commencement ceremony, it will also be broadcast live online through the Cleveland State website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu.

Tracey Wright
Tracey Wright
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