National Park College (NPC) named Outstanding Faculty and Staff award recipients during
the annual Employee Recognition Day this month. Lindsey Vondenstein was named Outstanding
Faculty Member and Tikima Simpkins was named Outstanding Staff Member. Recipients
of the awards are nominated and selected by their peers.Simpkins currently works as an admissions specialist in the recruitment office. She
started at NPC as a student in 2019, served as a student ambassador, a work-study
student, and was hired in her current role in August 2021. She graduated from NPC
with her Associate of Liberal Arts and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Organizational
Leadership at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
Simpkins was described by her nominator as bubbly, kind, dedicated, welcoming to new
staff and students, and a pleasure to be around. They said her go-getting attitude
is contagious, she lights up NPC, and is willing to step in and help anyone at any
time.
“I’m going to keep striving to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday
and it can only get better,” said Simpkins.
Surprised by the award, Simpkins added, “You feel like you don’t have an impact on
people, but you actually do. So, it’s a very rewarding experience. I’m just so proud
of myself and just so happy to be a part of this family. I’m just happy to be here.
I actually look forward to coming to work. I don’t actually see it as work. I see
it as another day, hopefully making someone’s day better. Just being a part of this
family is, once again, rewarding.”
Vondenstein is an assistant professor of Education and started at NPC in August 2017.
She has 13 years of teaching experience in elementary and middle school. She earned
a Master of Science in Educational Technology Leadership from Henderson State University
and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University.
Vondenstein has experience developing workshops and professional development for teachers
and integrating technology
into the classroom. She noted, “The role of the teacher is changing. My passion lies
in the challenge of teaching students how to use all of this technology the correct
way.”
“I love NPC. Everyone seems happy and there is so much positive energy. People are
invested in helping the school grow. It is an exciting time to be a part of NPC,”
said Vondenstein.
Peer nominations noted Vondenstein has served as a faculty mentor and advisor for
more than 100 Education majors. She meets with them either in person or via Zoom to
help them with degree plans, scheduling classes, and transferring. She was described
as very supportive, and encouraging with a positive attitude.
As she accepted her award, Vondenstein shared, “I am so honored to win this award
and to be nominated with other deserving faculty. I am so thankful for my job at NPC
and to work alongside my colleagues every day. They encourage me and inspire me and
we all work hard to help our students achieve success. It is an honor to help my students
on their path to becoming educators and to see them in their own classrooms inspiring
their students. I love my job, the people I work with, and the students I teach, and
I am blessed that I get to do this job every day.”
