SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is thrilled to announce Jessica Parker and Dr. F. Wayne Laney, Jr. as recipients of the 2025-2026 Excellence in Teaching Award. Each year, this distinguished honor is awarded to full-time faculty members who demonstrate outstanding teaching, a deep commitment to student success and a strong dedication to the mission of the College.
“The 2025-2026 Excellence in Teaching Award recipients exemplify the very best of Rowan-Cabarrus through their dedication to teaching, their passion for student success, and their commitment to excellence in and beyond the classroom,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “They create meaningful learning experiences, support students as individuals, and help prepare them to achieve their goals both in their careers and in life.”
Jessica Parker, a faculty member in the Department of Life and Physical Sciences, has served Rowan-Cabarrus since 2014. She teaches a wide range of courses, including Principles of Biology for Non-Majors, Biology I and II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology labs. In addition to her work in the classroom, Parker supports students as a department tutor for SPARC (STEM Persistence and Retention via Curricula, Centralization, Cohorts and Collaboration), a scholarship and academic support program that helps eligible STEM students persist, complete their degrees and transfer to four-year institutions. She also serves as a mentor for TRIO Student Support Services, which provides academic and personal support to first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds and students with disabilities. These roles demonstrate her strong commitment to helping students succeed.
A North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Parker holds a bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte, a Master of Science in Science Education from East Carolina University and a School Administrator License from Appalachian State University. She is also National Board Certified in Life Science Education. Her leadership extends beyond the College as a graduate of the North Carolina Science Leadership Association Leadership Fellows program and as a current board member of the organization. At the core of her work is a belief that education empowers students to pursue their goals in both career and life, and she is known for creating meaningful, student-centered learning experiences that foster success.
Dr. F. Wayne Laney, Jr., PCI®, serves as Program Chair for the Criminal Justice and 911 Communication & Operations programs and has been a full-time faculty member at Rowan-Cabarrus since 2015. In addition to teaching Criminal Justice courses, he instructs in Emergency Management, serves as the Work-Based Learning Faculty Coordinator and advises the Criminal Justice Association. He is also a North Carolina Law Enforcement General Instructor, teaching both Basic Law Enforcement Training and General Instructor School, and regularly travels across the state as a guest speaker on human trafficking awareness and prevention.
Dr. Laney holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Science in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University, and a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University with a specialization in Homeland Security. This marks his third time receiving the Excellence in Teaching Award, having previously been honored in the 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 academic years.
“Faculty like this year’s recipients demonstrate what it means to go above and beyond for students,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Vice President Dr. Michael Quillen. “They bring strong leadership and real-world experience into the classroom, helping ensure our students are well prepared for meaningful careers and continued success.”
The Excellence in Teaching Award is the highest honor for Rowan-Cabarrus faculty. Recipients are nominated by students and selected through a competitive process that includes an extensive portfolio, letters of recommendation and an unannounced classroom observation. Through the dedication of faculty members like Jessica Parker and Dr. Wayne Laney, Rowan-Cabarrus continues to expand opportunity, strengthen workforce preparation and help build a brighter future for Rowan and Cabarrus counties.