McHenry County College names instructor Robin Deak as Faculty Member of the Year

‘Deak encourages her students to use what they learn in her classroom to better themselves, improve their confidence, and become self-advocates,’ the college said in a news release

Psychology instructor Robin Deak, who has taught at McHenry County College since 2003, was recently recognized as the college’s full-time Faculty Member of the Year for 2021, the college announced in a news release.

The award recipients, selected by peers, are chosen based on their commitment to teaching, contribution to the college community, and professional development.

“Deak encourages her students to use what they learn in her classroom to better themselves, improve their confidence, and become self-advocates,” the college said in the release.

Over the course of her 18 years at the College, Deak spent 12 years as an adjunct faculty member and the last six as a full-time instructor, according to the release.

She currently teaches Introduction to Psychology and Human Lifespan Development, according to the release. During her tenure, she also taught Child Psychology and Abnormal Psychology.

“It was my dad who originally encouraged me to go to an MCC teaching job fair,” Deak said in the release. “I was still working full-time in social services. When I taught that very first class back in 2003, it clicked. The experience was anxiety-provoking and exciting at the same time. I walked out of the room that first day thinking to myself, ;This is what I’m going to do.’ I quit my previous job at the end of that semester, and the rest is history.”

Deak said her favorite part about teaching at MCC has remained the ability to make connections with students and seeing them succeed, according to the release.

“I always say there are two things you can control – your attitude and your effort. I encourage my students to be self-advocates, to prioritize self-care, work on self-confidence, and take selfies (just because they’re fun!),” she said in the release.

Deak earned her associate degree from Harper College in Palatine, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

In addition to teaching, Deak spent six years as MCC’s adjunct faculty development coordinator and the last four years as the faculty development chair, according to the release. Both positions involve orienting new faculty and creating professional development opportunities.

She also co-chaired the Social Science Student Club for six years and has co-mentored the men’s basketball team for the last three years, according to the release.