Rae Strickland, MCC English Professor, Receives Outstanding Woman of the Year Award

Rae Strickland

Manchester, CT – (August 23, 2012) . . . Rae Strickland, professor of English at Manchester Community College, recently received the 2012 Outstanding Woman of the Year Award from the MCC Women’s Caucus. The annual award is given to a woman who works at MCC and exemplifies leadership qualities, acts as a role model and mentor, and has contributed to the achievements of women through her activities on campus.

As written in the award’s nomination letter, Strickland has been “a tireless advocate for the college, championing its mission in many ways.” She has counseled and supported many students at MCC, has shared strategies for the classroom and for curriculum across departments, mentored colleagues and has always been a strong presence in meetings –someone who will question and challenge when necessary. She characterizes herself as her father had – “just the gal to snap someone’s suspenders.” Additionally, she has served as English department co-chair, been involved in the MCC Alumni Association and MCC Foundation, and has taken on important campus work, such as writing the college’s accrediting body’s 5-year report and volunteering to develop the upcoming English department self-study.

Strickland is a graduate of Manchester Community College. She received her undergraduate degree from Bard College, her graduate degree from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and her doctorate degree from Durham University in England. Her dissertation, Composing Our Identities: Teaching Composition in an American Community College, was published by Lambert Academic Publishing.

Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.

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