Dr. Heather Hampson Named JALC Outstanding Faculty Member
Published on May 14, 2024
John A. Logan College proudly announces that Professor Dr. Heather Hampson, an esteemed faculty member in Nursing, has been recognized as the College’s 2024 Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Outstanding Faculty Member.
Fellow faculty members vote on this prestigious award and highlight Professor Hampson’s dedication, commitment, and exceptional contributions to the academic and professional development of John A. Logan College students. As a distinguished faculty member, Professor Hampson has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovative teaching methodologies, and a profound commitment to student success.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Heather Hampson’s remarkable achievement as the 2024 ICCTA Outstanding Faculty Member,” said Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President of John A. Logan College. “Her dedication to excellence, tireless commitment to student success, and exemplary contributions to our academic community truly embody the spirit of this prestigious award.”
As a Professor of Nursing for the ADN and LPN programs at John A. Logan College, her impact extends far beyond the classroom. She teaches in the traditional, hybrid, lab, and clinical settings. Her classes include Respiratory, Pharmacology, Orth/Derm/Immune, IV therapy, Assessment, and Leadership/Ethics. Dr. Hampson sits on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Education Association and enjoys being the ADN club co-sponsor and LPN advisor to 150 students a year.
One of Dr. Hampson’s proudest professional accomplishments is the Eggstravaganza, established as an annual event in 2018. This student-led event services hundreds of children and families with disabilities from the community. The event was created to combine service learning for the students while investing in the community. The importance of this event was highlighted at the OADN National Conference, where Dr. Hampson co-presented “Thinking Outside the Box – Beyond the Hospital Walls” to encourage other community colleges to adopt the event.
Hampson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in not only teaching the students to be competent nurses but also in the aspects of caring and compassion.
“I take students to the hospitals, guide them as they apply knowledge into action, and watch as they grow as individuals. Engagement and recognition of achievement are constant components of my teaching environment,” said Hampson. “For caring and compassion, we have created several student service-learning projects. I am proud of The Not So Scary Trick or Treat and the Eggstravaganza. These events are important for our students to learn and show caring.”
Hampson says service-learning events serve hundreds of children and families from our community. They have been nationally recognized as an opportunity for community college nursing programs to creatively incorporate clinical learning opportunities and service learning outside of the hospital setting.
“As an educator, I must also demonstrate caring and compassion. I want my students to understand that I care about them as students and individuals,” said Hampson. “They are complex and will endure a spectrum of emotions and experiences in the nursing program. I want them to know I will help at every step of the journey.”
In addition to her classroom and clinical work, Dr. Hampson has presented at National Conferences and served on the Executive Committee as the IEA representative and the Professional Development Committee. She has previously served on the International Committee and Behavioral Intervention Committee. She also serves as the LPN Advisor for incoming LPN nursing students and has created an orientation that all incoming nursing students must attend. She co-chairs the ADN Nursing Clubs for full-time, part-time, and hybrid students.
Dr. Hampson also played an integral role in John A. Logan College receiving ACEN accreditation in 2019 and currently serves on the writing team for the 2024 ACEN re-accreditation visit.
She is a member of the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN). This organization specifically supports and educates nurse educators in the community college setting. She is also a member of the Infusion Nurse Society (INS). Dr. Hampson has attended several national INS Conferences to provide JALC students with the most up-to-date evidence-based practice. Dr. Hampson obtained a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification. This certification demonstrates a determination to provide excellent therapies while protecting the most vulnerable.
Dr. Hampson became a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an International Honor Society of Nursing, after completing her doctorate work titled “Assessing the Needs of the Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” published in the Summer of 2020. Her work on educating staff and students about the needs of Autistic individuals in the hospital setting fosters a spirit of inclusion and diversity while maintaining integrity and safety.
The Illinois Community College Trustees Association sponsors the Outstanding Faculty Member Award. It recognizes outstanding faculty members who have made significant contributions to the academic community at Illinois Community Colleges. Dr. Heather Hampson’s exceptional achievements and dedication to excellence embody the spirit of this award, and he serves as a role model for faculty members across the institution and state.
Dr. Hampson will be recognized at the 2024 John A. Logan College Commencement on Friday, May 17, and at the ICCTA Annual Meeting in June Where the statewide award winner will be named.
