May 24th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Allegany College of Maryland proudly announces Heather Greise as the recipient of the 2025 Sanner Award for Outstanding Teaching. Known for her exceptional dedication to student success and her leadership in the classroom and beyond, Greise exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious award.

An instructor of Developmental English, English 101, and Student Development, Greise has served ACM for the past eight years with an unwavering commitment to student learning. Described by colleagues as a “master teacher,” she is praised for her ability to present complex material in a concise and accessible way. Her highly organized teaching approach, coupled with engaging, relevant classroom activities both online and in-person, she has consistently earned her strong praise from students in evaluations.

Beyond the classroom, Greise is recognized as a collaborative team member and innovative leader. She adapts quickly to new technologies and generously shares her knowledge with peers. Always striving for improvement, she actively participates in professional development opportunities and is open to feedback and new teaching strategies.

Her leadership at ACM is equally impressive. Greise currently serves as:

• Co-Chair of the Student Emergency Support Task Force (The Pantry)

• Coordinator of General Education Assessment

• Ambassador of PackBack, an educational software platform that promotes AI literacy among students.

Greise is also deeply committed to student well-being. Her door is always open, and students can easily schedule conferences through Navigate using a link in her email signature. She is known for going above and beyond, working tirelessly with first-semester students and offering everything from academic support to garden-fresh produce and Earth Day seedlings. Many of her students return for continued mentorship long after completing her courses, often crediting her with their ability to persist and succeed at ACM.

In her nomination letter, Laura Fiscus, M.Ed., wrote, “Working side-by-side with Heather through the years has been a pleasure and a privilege. I am truly inspired by her endless energy and dedication to all students, especially those who struggle on multiple fronts to be successful. Heather has the unique combination of being a master teacher in the classroom along with the ability to forge authentic and lasting connections with students. She is truly a treasure at ACM.”

Named for retired professor and Sanner Award co-founder Dr. Henry Sanner, the award honors one faculty member each year who demonstrates excellence in teaching and commitment to student success. Greise now joins a distinguished list of recipients recognized for making a lasting difference in the lives of ACM students.