Ritter Named Outstanding Faculty Member

Janetta Ritter headshotNational Park College (NPC) named Janetta Ritter, a professor in the business division, as the Outstanding Faculty member of 2022.

Ritter graduated from Garland County Community College (GCCC), now NPC, in May 1992 with an Associate of General Education and in May 2000 with an Associate of Arts. In May 1999, she graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration from Henderson State University (HSU). Then in December 2002 she once again graduated from HSU with her Master of Business Administration.

She started her career at GCCC in April 1989 as a secretary for the Business Assistance Center. Throughout her time here, she has served as a secretary for the Registrar, Office of Community Services, and as an assistant to the president. She worked as the bookstore manager from 1996-1999. In 1999, she accepted the position of assessment coordinator and began teaching classes for the Business Division and Success Seminar/College Study Skills as an adjunct instructor. In 2011, she was hired full time to teach in the Business Division. Ritter holds trainings for local businesses and industries through NPC’s Community and Corporate Training Division. She is a trained facilitator for True Colors with additional certifications in team building and conflict resolution.

She has served or is currently serving on numerous college committees including three Higher Learning Commission Self-Studies and search committees for faculty and staff. She has served as the secretary for the board of directors for the Piney Fire Protection Association since January 2006.

Business Division chair Jennifer Lyons said, “Janetta is such a great sounding board for fellow faculty and an exceptional resource to all on campus. Students often come and visit Ms. Ritter for hours. She relates to our students on a very personal level because she consistently goes above and beyond to support them in their educational endeavors. She is 100% in their corner, and they know it.”

Ritter stated, “Working at National Park College, the former National Park Community College and Garland County Community College has been an honor. I have been blessed to work side-by-side with some of the brightest, most intelligent people, who encouraged and mentored me and were my biggest supporters, especially while I was pursuing my degrees. These are life-long friendships that I keep close to my heart and cherish everyday. They are family.”

She went on to note, “Working with students is such an uplifting, daily experience. As faculty, we witness students who are seeking a better life for themselves and for many, their families. We work to help them achieve their goals. The student success stories are endless and to think I may have had a very small part in helping a student to persist in their educational goals is humbling.”