McCulley and Schaefer honored as Outstanding Faculty

Heartland Community College has recognized a full-time and a part-time faculty member with the Outstanding Faculty Award. 

Tom McCulley is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Award. Rebecca Schaefer is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award. 

One Heartland Outstanding Full-Time and one Part-Time Faculty Member are selected each year from student nominations. The Heartland Community College recipients are also submitted to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for the statewide award. 

Tom McCulley has been teaching for over twenty years at Heartland Community College. Currently teaching Classical Greek Mythology, McCulley has taught many humanities courses over the years and has taken on a number of committee and service roles, including as Interim Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Tom’s classrooms are dynamic spaces filled with discussion, debate, and laughter. He uses creative writing prompts that invite students to take new knowledge and apply it to their lived experience. 

Humanities and Fine Arts Professor Rebecca Schaefer has made an impact on Heartland Community College students in many roles. Schaefer teaches traditional face-to-face classes, online courses, and interacts with high schoolers and prospective students through College Now teaching and community outreach. In her work as a success coach, Schaefer works individually with students to remove barriers, gain study strategies, and access resources. 

Student feedback regularly applauds Schaefer’s passion for teaching and learning along with her willingness to interact with care and kindness. 

Both Outstanding Faculty Awardees will be recognized at the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees meeting on April 22 and at Heartland’s Commencement Ceremony on May 16.