Division of Mathematics Awards

Harriet Kiser - Georgia Highlands College Community Service Award  2011

Harriet Kiser quietly contributes to many activities.  Whether she’s recruiting for a scholarship (she created one in her dad’s memory); tutoring math students outside of class, nights and weekends, volunteering for the S.O.W. homeless ministry by painting a bedroom or donating items of need, donating to Women’s Outreach (an organization that helps displaced woman); serving her church (Transfiguration Episcopal), volunteering at the basketball tournament, donating items for the Foundation Camp, walking for Alzheimers (in memory of her mom, and raising the most of any non-medical community group), walking for Diabetes, inviting folks without family to dinner for holidays, supporting Angel Express, making hats and donating toiletries and water to the homeless, supporting the Humane society or rescuing animals (she currently has 2 rescue cats, Iggy and Ridge Ferry), Harriet finds time to improve the quality of life of those around her.  She seems to always have a trunk full of donations or an errand to run because someone needs her help.

Laura Ralston - Georgia Highlands College Lifetime Advising Award 2011

Laura Ralston, Associate Professor of Mathematics, received the Lifetime Advising Award at In-service on August 11, 2011.    Laura has been employed at GHC since August 1998.  She holds a Masters of Education in Secondary Education with emphasis in Mathematics. Laura assumed the role of Lead Advising Specialist in Spring 2005.    Laura began her tenure as lead advising specialist by writing a mission statement and expected outcomes for academic advising at GHC.  She also initiated assessment of Academic Advising. Laura updated and developed an online version of the Academic Advising handbook. Serving as chair of the Academic Advising Council for six years, she piloted the Early Bird Advising program, Classroom Based Advising Initiative, and Early Intervention Project. Laura helped to define the academic advising administration structure and the roles and responsibilities of academic advisors and students.   Laura attended numerous meetings and conferences sponsored by the National Association of Academic Advisors (NACADA) and presented at one of those meetings. Laura received the NACADA Certificate of Merit in Academic Advising Administration in Fall 2009.