Two outstanding leaders from Alamance Community College (ACC) were award recipients at the sixth annual Women’s Resource Center “Leading the Way” banquet on November 4.
Sonya McCook, Dean of Business, Arts and Sciences, and Jennifer Mock, Director of Academic and Career Readiness, were both recognized with the 2021 Founder’s Award.
The Founder’s Award is given to a professional who demonstrates excellence and achievement in mentoring, community development, business contributions, philanthropy and overall community leadership.
• Sonya McCook has been employed by ACC since 1997 and serves as the Dean of Business, Arts and Sciences. She has an exemplary record of accomplishment working with community partners to develop innovative programming. She worked closely with ABSS math instructors to ensure a smooth transition for incoming ACC students.
She made adjustments each year to the ACC curriculum to help all students succeed in college math courses. She oversaw the development of the ACC Math Center, which provides free tutoring to any ACC student. McCook is currently working with ABSS and Elon University on the Alamance Scholars program to develop a seamless pathway for ABSS students enrolling first at ACC, then at Elon.
McCook has served as a volunteer to the Clover Garden Charter School Board of Directors to assist them with curriculum planning when the school prepared to open. She also volunteers with the Lead AWANA program through her church and volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse and the Mebane Youth Soccer Association.
• Jennifer Mock has been employed by ACC since 2011 and serves as the Director of Academic and Career Readiness. Much of what Mock does is in support of women and working mothers. She encourages women to find a balance and to work smarter, not harder.
As director of all literacy programs at the college, Mock has supported the implementation of a state initiative aimed at working with limited language learners and career certification pathways. One of these allowed limited English-proficient women to attend and complete a Cosmetology certificate by pairing the curriculum with lessons in English.
Mock has served with Community Council as its committee president. She has developed and promoted many community partners over the years, including the Women’s Resource Center and the Gateway Dream Center. Through those organizations and others, Mock has coordinated food drives, school supplies campaigns, and community awareness programs.
