Jackson receives COCC Faculty Achievement Award

Beverly Jackson, professor of health information technology and director of the HIT program, has been selected as the 2016 recipient of Central Oregon Community College’s Faculty Achievement Award. Presented annually since 1986, the award recognizes excellence in teaching.

“COCC has so many amazing instructors; I am truly honored to have received this award!” said Jackson.

Thirty-six years ago, Jackson earned an associate degree in Health Information Technology from COCC. Earning this award, she has come full circle.

Jackson has taught every HIT class at one time or another since 2002, as well as serving as the director of the program for the past 11 years. Previously, she also served as the Prineville Community Education Director for four years.

“Bev has been the unsung hero of the Health Information Technology department,” said one of her nominators.”She has been turning out students who consistently pass the qualifying exam.”

COCC’s HIT program is one of only two offered in Oregon. In 2004, COCC received the first 100 percent pass rate on the rigorous national Registered Health Information Technician exam. The 100 percent pass rate continued through 2014. Nationally, the average passing rate is 70 percent.

“Bev obviously loves what she does,” said one of her students. “It’s always easier to learn from someone who enjoys teaching.”

On a course evaluation from, one student remarked: “I think that Bev is the most valuable aspect of this class. I would never have passed if she hadn’t made the class so interesting and fun.” Another student described Bev as alternately funny and firm when she needed to be: “She loosened us up when we were too tense, and she also firmed us up when we were too rowdy, always in a calm manner.”

The chocolate candy at major exams, the luncheon for her graduates, the phone calls she made to potential employers and her students’ success rate for job placements all speak to her commitment to her students.

Moreover, how many instructors would come to class in a gold lam raincoat, spiked heels, leopard-skin capris, a feather boa and baby-blue eye shadow to impress upon her students how not to dress for an interview?

After a teaching career described by the nominating committee as “stealth magnificence,” Jackson is retiring this year.