Much of HLC’s work relies on the volunteer service of peer reviewers and the dedication and expertise they bring to their role. Each year at our annual conference, we take time to appreciate the Peer Corps as a whole and to recognize those reviewers whose service has gone above and beyond.
In April, we were thrilled to celebrate our excellent volunteers. Congratulations to the following award winners.
Outstanding Service
Sarah Westfall (Kalamazoo College) was recognized with the Outstanding Service award for the key role she played in helping to redesign HLC’s training for new peer reviewers. A member of the Peer Corps since 2008, Westfall serves as a team chair and has a passion for training and mentoring new peer reviewers.
Essential Leaders
Deanna McCormick and Kristin Stehouwer both received an Essential Leader award in recognition of the many roles they serve in the Peer Corps. McCormick (Simpson College) is a team chair and has facilitated multiple peer reviewer trainings on the financial aspects of HLC requirements.
Stehouwer (Northwood University) is an active reviewer, team chair and member of the Institutional Actions Council. In March 2025, she completed her 50th review for HLC. She is also a co-facilitator for training new team chairs and a member of the advisory group that helps to plan the Peer Corps pre-conference program.
Additional Award Winners
Best Written Report:
- Gail Jensen, Creighton University
- Gary Yarbrough, Arkansas Northeastern College
Eagle Eye:
- Andrew Nwanne, Crowder College
Jack of All Trades:
- Mary Moore, University of Indianapolis
- David Pecha, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Lifesaver:
- Frank Gersich, Bethany College
- Kris Vacek, Rockhurst University
Magnificent Manager:
- Thomas Bernard Rowan, Chicago State University
- Cory Clasemann, Southeast Technical College
Mighty Mentor:
- Julie Furst-Bowe, Winona State University
- Nate Brandstater, Consortium of Hospital-Affiliated Colleges and Universities
- Jonah Rice, Southeastern Illinois College
Road Warrior:
- Jacqueline Parrill, Central Ohio Technical College
- Mark Kelland, Lansing Community College
Rookie of the Year:
- Michael Oltrogge, Nebraska Indian Community College
- Debra Lohe, Saint Louis University
Short Notice Hero:
- Cari Keller, Northeastern State University
- Heather Weber, Maricopa Community Colleges – South Mountain Community College
Word Wizards:
- Dana Garrigan, Carthage College
- Lee Bash, Graceland University
Virtual Virtuoso:
- Hal Morgan, University of Phoenix
- Antoinette Baldin, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Service Milestones
HLC also recognized peer reviewers for service milestones:
35 Years
- Sandra Bowles, The University of Charleston
30 Years
- Sherilyn Poole, Governors State University
- George Stevens, Kent State University
- David Wissmann, Avila University
25 Years
- Lee Bash, Graceland University
- Gloria Dohman, North Dakota State College of Science
- Marie Giacomelli, Robert Morris University-Illinois
- Donna Kempf, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- William Mangan, Edgewood College
- Heidi Ries, Air Force Institute of Technology
- Timothy Schibik, University of Southern Indiana
HLC thanks all peer reviewers for their service and commitment to higher education.
Interested in joining the Peer Corps? The next application cycle will open in fall 2025. Be sure you’re subscribed to Leaflet to be notified when the application is available.