The College System of Tennessee honored its outstanding students, faculty, staff and supporters of the year at the 4^th annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Awards celebration in Nashville, where Columbia State Community College’s Dr. Elvira Eivazova was named Community College Faculty of the Year. 

“I am thankful for such a great honor!” said Eivazova. “The SOAR award is the culmination of all my efforts over the past several years. I am so proud to be working at Columbia State with such amazing faculty. I greatly appreciate that I can be a part of the incredible achievements of my students.”

Eivazova completed her Master of Science in physiology and biochemistry from Moscow State University in 1984, then she went on to earn a Ph.D. in biology (immunology) from the Academy of Medicine, Moscow, in 1992. After training at the University of London, England, for ten years, she joined the faculty at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Her other accolades include an Award for Innovation in Teaching, the League Innovation Excellence Award in Teaching and the Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs (TASDC) award for the “Outstanding Contribution to Research and Development in Education,” all achieved in 2020.

“This distinguished honor recognizes the excellence in Dr. Eivazova’s teaching and instruction,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “It is a commendation of her passion and commitment to students, learning and opportunities for each to excel. Needless to say, we are very proud that she chose to be a member of the Columbia State faculty and college community.”

Eivazova came to Columbia State in 2016 where she is an associate professor of biology. Currently she teaches biology, anatomy and physiology, undergraduate biology research and honors biology courses. Recently she led two of her students to first place in Phage Microbiology and Genomics at the TASDC Research Symposium.

“I chose to teach at a community college because of the far greater number of possibilities for student development and success compared to non-community college institutions,” Eivazova said. “I feel empowered to be able to support the diverse population of students. I am fortunate to be able to combine my passion for teaching and research in developing new approaches and be a part of my students’ success early in their academic career. By working at my community college, I was able to directly contribute to its mission of scholarship and service, and to collaborate broadly with faculty within the college and nationally.”

The College System, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, is composed of the state’s public community and technical colleges. Launched in 2019, SOAR celebrates the colleges’ outstanding students, faculty, staff, colleges, advisors, benefactors, volunteers and partnerships.

After weeks of college and regional-level judging that produced 18 finalists, the 2022 individual award winners were announced at the SOAR Awards Dinner. Each of the award winners received a SOAR trophy. All finalists received plaques at a Finalists Dinner Tuesday night commemorating their achievements.

Board of Regents Vice Chair Emily J. Reynolds, who presented the Student of the Year Awards, said that students “come to our colleges with a thirst for knowledge and leave prepared to enter the workforce in a job vital to our state or to continue your education. Whatever path you choose, we love the fact that you often come back to your communities as future leaders.”

“You are why we are gathered here tonight. Students are why we exist, why we do what we do every day,” said TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. “I’m proud to be part of a public higher education system that is open to everyone who wants to study, work hard and learn. Whether your goal is to train for a career in a year or to continue your studies at a university, we are here for to help you achieve your dream.”

“It’s an honor to celebrate each of Tennessee’s outstanding students, staff and faculty at community colleges and colleges of applied technology all across the state,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in a pre-recorded video. “Our community colleges and TCATs offer a variety of opportunities for Tennesseans and each of these finalists have stood out as leaders who have excelled in their communities. Thank you for all your dedication and congratulations.”

More than 300 students, faculty, staff, supporters, state legislators and other guests attended the SOAR Awards Dinner, presented by The Ayers Foundation, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nashville Downtown.

Special guests included former Governor Winfield Dunn, who in 1972 signed into law the legislation creating the Tennessee Board of Regents system, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. Other special guests included former TBR Chancellors Roy Nicks and David Gregory, and board members of the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee.