Mercer County Community College Board Chair Gwendolyn Harris congratulates 2013 Distinguished Teacher Amy Ricco with president Patricia C. Donohue at the college’s commencement on May 23, 2013.
Hamilton resident Amy Ricco received Mercer County College’s 2013 Distinguished Teacher award at the college’s commencement May 23.
Ricco, associate professor of horticulture, was hired by MCCC after she graduated from college in 1998.
Ricco began her college education by earning her associate degree in Horticulture Production from the State University of New York at Morrisville in 1995. She continued for her bachelor’s degree in Plant Science from and then a Masters in Arts and Teaching, with a major in Agriculture Education from Cornell University.
Students and colleagues who nominated Ricco for the award described her as “passionate, very involved with the college and loved by students” and “student centered and dedicated to student success.”
During commencement, Ricco thanked her students.
“Because of you, this isn’t just a job – it is a career that I love. Watching you succeed makes all of the hard work and sacrifice worth it. I encourage you to not be afraid of all the challenges life will throw your way in your pursuit of finding a career that you love,” Ricco said.
According to Ricco, her teaching philosophy is rooted in creating an environment where students want to learn and succeed.
As coordinator of the Ornamental Horticulture and Plant Science programs, Ricco carries out a wide variety of tasks in addition to teaching, including supervising faculty and staff, advising prospective and current students and maintaining an Advisory Commission.
In keeping with her goal to provide hands-on learning activities and utilize the West Windsor campus as a learning laboratory, Ricco oversaw the creation of the Mary Hayes Tribute Garden that was unveiled in May. The 18-month project allowed her students to design plans, purchase materials and carry out the installation of paving and plants for a memorial to a beloved MCCC professor emerita.
Ricco has also thrown herself into projects that extend beyond her academic discipline. She plays a leading role on the college’s Sustainability Committee and has been MCCC’s coordinator for the American Heart Association Heart Walk, held annually at Mercer County Park in September.
For the past two years, Ricco has coordinated the New Jersey High School Horticulture Expo in cooperation with the N.J. Department of Agriculture in March. The event brings approximately 500 high school students from around the state to the West Windsor campus to display their horticultural work and compete in design competitions.
More information is online at mccc.edu
,
