Coordinator of the Practical Nurse (PN) Program, Monica Gordon, is the recipient of the Alberta Nursing Education Administrators' (ANEA) Leadership in Licensed Practical Nursing Education Award.

Her nominations reflected Gordon to be a strong leader, systems thinker who is outcomes focused, a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, a positive influence with a student first focus, and one who strives to build a cohesive team.

Monica's been teaching as a faculty member in the Practical Nurse Program since 2010 and accepted the role of PN Coordinator beginning in 2015. She transitioned well to her Coordinator role, while bringing many positive attributes to the Academic Leadership Team at Portage College.

Carol Ulliac, Dean of Health & Wellness says, "Monica's commitment and belief in this program is remarkable. She understands that to have a great program she needs to have a great team," Ulliac adds, "she has achieved this by communicating clear expectations, conveying commitment to fairness, and creating a safe environment where her team can feel relaxed. This enables a higher capacity for social engagement, innovation, ambition and a creative learning environment for our students."

The award recognizes leadership in the advancement of nursing in education, education program development and delivery, educational organization involvement, scholarship in teaching and learning, and/or enhancing the development of nursing students and creating effective practice environments for learning.

"Honestly, to be nominated was a win for me. Reading the letters of nominations was overwhelming because you don't usually hear that on a day-to-day basis, if ever." Said Monica Gordon.

In response to what Gordon will do now that she's won the award: "Try to live up to it. Especially since its leadership and I never thought this was in my wheelhouse. I'm hoping to take more leadership courses and just believe in myself."