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Raritan Valley Community College Adjunct Faculty members Roger Shutack, Jamie Parmese, and Nina Presuto have been honored with the Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award for 2026, it was announced recently by the RVCC Foundation.

The award, which pays tribute to the faculty members’ efforts to make a difference in the lives and journeys of their students, was created thanks to the generosity of benefactors Dr. Susan Primmer and Dr. Robert Harris. Their six years of support through the award highlight their longstanding commitment to RVCC.

The following recipients were nominated for the award by both faculty and students:

Roger Shutack: Humanities, Social Sciences, Social Work and Education Department

A faculty member who nominated Roger for the award wrote: “Roger Shutack is one in a million! He is retiring this May after 60 years of teaching at the high school level and the college level. His time at RVCC has been marked with the Music in History series to engage audiences of all ages into the power that music has in shaping our cultural experiences. Further, as a consistent instructor in the Returning & Incarcerated Student Education (RISE) program, Roger was invited as a commencement speaker for the incarcerated program. He gives this cohort of students hope and empowers them to reach higher than they ever could have imagined. His time in the classroom may be coming to an end, but Roger will continue teaching, leading, and inspiring wherever he may go for as long as he may traverse our great land! He is a gem, and deserves this recognition and more!”

Jamie Parmese: English Department

A faculty member wrote about Jamie: “She brings energy, kindness, and curiosity into the classroom in a way that inspires her students to also seek opportunities through the material that she teaches. As an adjunct, Jamie doesn't have to spend extra time with her students, but she does. In fact, she attended last year's RVCC graduation ceremony just to support her past students who were graduating, meeting them all there with small gifts of congratulations…. If I have a student who has come out of ENGL I having taken Jamie, that student will likely tell me, ‘oh, I had Professor Parmese – she's the best!’ And often that student is more than prepared and motivated to continue on in ENGL II.” The nominator continued: “Jamie has spent endless hours attending CTLS events and workshops, so that she can continue growing as a teacher, learning new pedagogical approaches that she then takes back to her classroom.”
    
Nina Presuto: English Department

A student nominator wrote about Nina: “I personally experienced how committed she is to helping students grow and succeed. At the beginning of the semester, I struggled with essay writing because it had been years since I last wrote one…Instead of letting me fall behind, she took the time to guide me step by step. She re-explained the structure of an essay in a clear and simple way, breaking it down so that it was easy to understand. Her patience and willingness to help made a huge difference in my confidence and ability to complete assignments successfully. What truly sets her apart is her genuine care for her students. She consistently made herself available for extra help and provided constructive feedback that helped me improve over time. Because of her encouragement and guidance, I not only improved my writing skills but also regained confidence in my academic abilities.”

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May 20, 2026

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383