Meg Dawczak started at Moraine Valley as a part-time instructor in the Intensive English Language Program in 2009. She later taught English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and became the coordinator of Records and Assessment before assuming her current role as manager of Transition and ESL in 2017.

Her nominators, Dr. Nina Shoman-Dajani, assistant dean of Learning Enrichment and College Readiness, Dr. Lauren Zajac, transition specialist, Adult Basic Education, and Janet Oleksy, secretary II, Adult Basic Education, said anyone who works with Dawczak “is impressed by her positive attitude and kind spirit” and how she demonstrates compassion, patience and dedication. They also called her “one of the most professional, organized and energetic colleagues we have had the opportunity to work with.” She exhibits a strong work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills.

Dawczak oversees the ESL program and helps develop curricula for the ESL and Illinois High School Diploma programs, which serve over 850 students. She loves helping so many students in her role.

“They have many barriers to deal with in their daily lives, and they work so hard in our classes to succeed,” she said. “Seeing their perseverance, resilience and drive to improve by learning English or earning their high school diploma is the best part of my job. Being able to play a small role in helping them have a better life is rewarding, and they’re very appreciative.”

A significant part of Dawczak’s job is supervising 30 ESL instructors at the college’s Palos Hills location and the two extension sites. She provides professional development related to adult education by organizing workshops, arranging speakers and representing the college at conferences and statewide meetings to gather information about changes in the field. She completed training offered by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to become the first career navigator specialist in the state and is now an ICCB master career navigator. She also organized training by a licensed clinical psychologist to better prepare instructors on responding to students facing trauma.

In addition to overseeing instructors, she supervises the transition specialist, education specialist and several support staff members in her area and is known for being extremely supportive. Dawczak even volunteered to supervise an intern on behalf of a staff member pursuing a degree and was later recognized for this by being named the 2024 Moraine Valley Internship Employer of the Year.

Dawczak is committed to community outreach and regularly gives presentations at schools and bilingual parent meetings. Understanding the growing need for English language classes in the area, she reached out to partner with schools in Burbank and Evergreen Park to provide ESL classes to newly arrived immigrants, refugees and district parents.

She organizes the annual Adult Education Resource Fair to bring together college departments and myriad nonprofit organizations to showcase their programs and services.

“I reach out to community organizations, and we’ve had between 30 and 40 participate each year. It’s a big undertaking, but the actual day is so much fun,” Dawczak said. “It’s open to our students and community members, and we’ve had over 250 people come to learn about available resources. It is a team effort that the whole department works on.”

This year, Dawczak collaborated with her supervisor and colleagues to write grant applications – one to replace old computers and purchase textbooks and supplies and another to help adult education students become pharmacy technicians. The team’s efforts paid off, and the department received two grants totaling over $200,000.

“We’re very excited and happy we got them,” she said.

Dawczak is grateful for the unwavering support she has received from everyone in her department and feels lucky to work with such a dedicated, hard-working group. Her nominating colleagues feel the same about her.

“I was very humbled and honored to have been nominated and chosen. It made me feel so good to be acknowledged, and I truly appreciate it,” Dawczak said.