Salt Lake Community College assistant biology professor Jessica Berryman was nominated for a Utah Public Employees’ Association Public Employee Salute award. In partnership with Mountain America Credit Union, the UPEA award recognizes individuals who work in public employment. Nominees are singled out for extraordinary competence, creative problem solving, excellent relationships with colleagues, volunteerism and other areas and must be employees of a city, county or state government agency. Berryman was recognized on KSL radio as a Salute nominee. She has also been invited to a recognition luncheon in the fall.
Berryman started at SLCC as an adjunct faculty member in January 2014 and rose to assistant professor later that year. She teaches environmental science, ecology, conservation biology and introductory biology courses.
“I love active and experiential learning,” Jessica says. “In my Environmental Science class, I want students to learn the materials but also to know how to be good citizens and make good choices on a personal level as well as know how to help in their communities.”
Her colleagues say, “Jessica is one of those people that always goes above and beyond in every situation. When you need something done and ask for volunteers, you can be sure Jessica will raise her hand. When there is a story about how a faculty member stepped up to help a student, there’s a good chance that Jessica’s name will come up. She’s curious, helpful and thoughtful about her work as a faculty member. When you couple that with the fact that she’s pleasant to be around you just know that you have a person that deserves a salute.”