Faculty Awards
Emerson
AY2023–2024
Jessica Van Leer, MSN, RN
Jessica Van Leer is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at East Central College where she has been teaching eager, young nursing students for nine years now. She holds a master’s degree in nursing education from UMSL and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Maryville University. Prior to working at ECC, she worked as a pediatric nurse on the medical/surgical pediatric floor at Mercy Kids in St. Louis. She currently has the pleasure of teaching in all four semesters of the nursing program allowing her to see her students learn and grow throughout the two-year nursing program. Speaking to her teaching abilities, her fellow coworker said this: “I have had the privilege of observing and learning from her remarkable dedication to teaching, mentoring, and commitment to student success. Jessica has consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching through her ability to make complex nursing concepts easy for students to understand. Jessica’s teaching methods have a profound impact on students. Her dedication and mentorship have earned her the respect and admiration of her students, colleagues, and the community.” Jessica was nominated for the Outstanding Young Professionals award in October of 2022, serves as the Student Nurse Organization club advisor on campus, and serves as the Faculty Professional Development Committee chair.
MCCA
AY2023–2024
Ellen Aramburu
Ellen Aramburu is a dedicated educator with a passion for languages and global understanding. She earned a B.A. in English and Spanish from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and an M.A. in Spanish from St. Louis University, completing much of the M.A. coursework at the SLU-Madrid campus. After completing her studies, Ellen continued to live in Spain and taught English to business and engineering executives before returning home to teach Spanish full time at the Missouri University of Science & Technology. Ellen began working full time at East Central College in 2006, initially managing the Learning Center before returning to the classroom as Spanish faculty in 2014. Currently, she teaches Elementary and Intermediate Spanish courses and World Geography. She has served as Chair of the Missouri Consortium for Global Education (MCGE) and has helped to coordinate global education initiatives on campus, primarily the events and activities marking International Education Week. Ellen’s personal love for travel not only enriches her life but also enhances her Spanish and Geography classroom presentations.
Means Innovation Award
AY2022–2023
Lisa Hanneken and Tanner French
Lisa Hanneken has been at ECC close to eight years, and her current role is assistant professor for the accounting and business programs. In addition she is the current Vice President of the Missouri Association of Accounting Educators. After attending both East Central College and Webster University, Lisa obtained a master’s in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Maryville University. Prior to entering academia, she held various accounting roles including auditor, regulator, controller, and business owner while accumulating close to 30 years of industry experience. Being at ECC and having the opportunity to pass on her years of real-world experience, as well as technical knowledge, to her students is one of the best jobs she states she has held. Lisa goes on to say “watching the students develop their own knowledge and then utilize it in their own careers is a very rewarding experience.”
Tanner French, CPA is accounting faculty at East Central College. Prior to joining faculty at ECC in Fall of 2020, Tanner worked in public accounting as a small business accountant and tax preparer. At ECC, Tanner was involved in developing the Hybrid Flexible modality of courses at ECC and the pilot program of that modality ran in the Accounting/Business department. Tanner also developed the Business Ethics course, the first CORE-42 course in the Career and Technical Division of Academic Affairs. Tanner is currently serving on the board of the Missouri Association of Accounting Educators (MAAE).