BOLIVIA, NC – On Friday, January 8, 2021, Brunswick Community College (BCC) honored Onya Gardner, Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development with the 2020 Dinah E. Gore Distinguished Staff Award. This annual award was established by Mrs. Gore in 2019 to recognize and thank BCC staff members who go above and beyond service to the College and their community. Recipients exemplify traits such as extraordinary leadership, initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, and involvement. Dr. Gene Smith, President, BCC says “Brunswick Community College is excited to announce Onya Gardner as the recipient of the 2020 Dinah E. Gore Distinguished Staff Award. Onya is very deserving and her contributions to our students’ success and meeting the College’s mission are greatly appreciated.” Mr. Greg Bland, BCC Vice President, Continuing Education, and Workforce Development notes “Onya is a great leader and has made a positive impact at the College by not only working hard at her job but also mentoring female athletes, fostering rapport with various departments on campus, spearheading student recruitment and implementing COVID-19 facility protocols among BCC directors, instructors and support staff. Onya’s enthusiasm and expertise was demonstrated this year through the implementation of “Tooling U” online training (teamwork, conflict resolution, safety), the identification of upgraded culinary equipment, a new natural haircare course, the implementation of Phlebotomy in workforce development, and a newly approved nurse aide testing center located in the BCC Health Sciences facility.

In addition to the daily oversight of programs, Onya continues to cross-train staff working on the records and enrollment team. Most importantly, it is not unusual to see her giving a tour to a family who is unfamiliar with the campus and she is never too busy for a student who needs help.” Onya is also engaged in the community. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, serves on the Town Creek Vision Committee Board of Directors, and is a board member of the American Red Cross, Cape Fear Chapter. Onya is a native of Brunswick County, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University, and has worked at BCC since 2008.

The BCC Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students thank Mrs. Onya Gardner for her dedication to public education and congratulate her on this award.