CCA Celebrates the Recipients of the Bowman and Oudenhoven Awards

Aurora, Colo. – The Community College of Aurora is recognizing members of its staff who make a positive impact on the college.

Patrick Munnelly and Grant Hughes have received the Bowman Award, and Beau Green is the recipient of the Oudenhoven Award. Both awards are named for two of CCA’s past presidents, Dr. Linda Bowman and Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven. 

The Bowman Award recognizes faculty or instructors who contribute to student success by being student-focused, upholding institutional values, and demonstrating excellence in teaching and service inside and outside of the classroom. Nomination criteria include college-wide impact, student learning and instructional activities as well as student success.

Munnelly is a faculty member in the department of English and Communication who has worked for the college since 2019. He is currently a student at CU Denver pursuing his Ph.D. in Education and Human Development with a concentration in Research and Evaluation Methods. Munnely’s dissertation will be a study focused on queer video games. 

He also incorporates gamification and game studies into all of the classes he teaches. When he’s not teaching students, he can be found reading, playing video games and running with his two huskies. 

Hughes is an instructor with the Cinematic Arts department. He has worked for the college since 2018 and teaches writing short and feature-length films and writing for television. In 2021 Hughes created a course on Black cinema called “Hollywood Shuffle.” The following year he helped create the Cinematic Arts Students of Color group called “Broadcast.” He has won accolades at major film competitions for his work, including the Stareable Film Festival in 2023 for the web series “Broke Boys.” As part owner of the film company, Sweet Flypaper of Film, he writes, produces and works with other creative voices in his field. Hughes said his teaching philosophy reflects his underdog personality. He says he hopes to expose other underdog creative voices, help them shine, and then watch them help others. 

Munnelly said about receiving his award, “It is a great honor to receive an award that is nominated solely by students. Students are the primary reason we are all at this college, and they are who I interact with most frequently on a daily basis. Teaching has been a passion of mine for many years and I love interacting with all of the students. I try to keep classes new, exciting, lighthearted, and enjoyable – and I’m glad students are getting that out of my classroom. Since everyone has such a diverse background, a variety of learning styles, and of course many different interests and hobbies, they all constantly keep me engaged and entertained in each class I teach. It is so wonderful to know that students are just as happy here at CCA as I am.”

Hughes and Munnelly will each receive $2,500 this spring and will be formally recognized with a plaque at CCA’s fall strategic summit. 

The Oudenhoven Award recognizes a team member who builds a supportive and inclusive community, and displays many leadership characteristics including being respectful, ethical, humble and authentic. Green embodies CCA’s commitment to changing the lives of its students. She has been with CCA since 2022, serving as Director of Student Advocacy Services. Throughout her time with the college, leaders say Beau has consistently characterized the components of the Oudenhoven Excellence in Service award as she has spearheaded initiatives to ensure students are supported holistically while attaining their college and career goals. Green’s contributions to the college include bringing on food security resources such as Foxy’s Mobile Market and Snack Stations, access to virtual mental health counseling support services, Foxy’s Care Cabinets with essential hygiene and wellness items, and expansion of CCA’s case management process to serve students through coaching and resource connection.

Green received $1,000 and will formally be recognized with a plaque at CCA’s fall strategic summit. 

For her part, Dr. Bowman said she is happy to recognize faculty who make CCA thrive saying, “During the nearly 12 years that I had the privilege of being part of the CCA family, I was continually amazed by the dedication and expertise of our excellent faculty. My husband Roger and I wanted to help ensure that these wonderful educators would receive not only recognition but resources that could support their work. We congratulate Patrick and Grant and thank them for all they do every day to help students succeed.

Dr. Oudenhoven said, “Congratulations to Beau Green on being the recipient of this year’s staff award. While we never had a chance to work together I have had the opportunity to meet her on several occasions and was struck each time by how personable, engaged, and energetic she is. It was easy to see from those encounters how much she cares about CCA and her students, and I am pleased to see her commitment and impact rewarded in this way by her peers. Congratulations Beau!”