Dr. Patchett, a psychology instructor, is the inaugural adjunct winner of the award, which was named for former Chesapeake College President Stuart Bounds.

An ability to blend academic rigor with applied learning and creative applications makes Dr. Patchett’s classes more than just lectures, according to Dr. Shannon Fleishman.

In introducing Dr. Patchett, Dr. Fleishman said that the professor’s impact extends well beyond the classroom door.

“While pursuing her Ph.D. in addiction counseling, she simultaneously supported students in building a mental health club on campus, creating a welcoming space for connection and support in an all too often disconnected world,” she said. “To know Professor Patchett is to know she is a powerful force for student success, well-being, connection, and levity.”