Ami Denton Receives Edgecombe Community College’s Highest Faculty Honor

Ami Denton

Ami Denton, director of nursing programs at Edgecombe Community College, has received the Astemo Endowed Faculty Chair Award, the highest faculty honor awarded by the college.

Denton, who joined ECC in 2018, was selected by a committee of ECC employees from a group of nominees who submitted a teaching philosophy, performance portfolio and essay.

“To be recognized for work that I genuinely love is incredibly humbling,” Denton said. “This recognition is a reflection not only of my work, but of the incredible students, faculty and community that I have the privilege to be a part of.”

According to nomination materials, Denton played a key role in establishing new clinical preceptor partnerships with UNC Health Nash and ECU Health Edgecombe. The partnerships provide nursing students with additional opportunities for hands-on clinical experience and helped support an increase in nursing program enrollment.

One nomination letter credited Denton with helping increase enrollment and strengthening relationships with local healthcare providers.

Denton also has been recognized for improving student outcomes, including on-time graduation rates and pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. In May, ECC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program celebrated 54 graduates, the largest graduating class in the program’s history.

Beyond the classroom, Denton participates in community service efforts and helps coordinate the college’s Mass Casualty Incident Simulation event. She also assists with campus safety training programs, including CPR, automated external defibrillator, or AED instruction, Stop the Bleed training and Narcan education.

“The foundation of my teaching philosophy is that the most valuable learning occurs through experience,” Denton said.

Denton began her education and healthcare career in 2008 and has held positions in public education, nursing practice and higher education. Before joining ECC, she served at Central Carolina Community College and Sandhills Community College, and worked as a registered nurse in clinical settings.

Denton earned bachelor’s degrees in secondary education/social studies and nursing from Appalachian State University, an associate degree in nursing from Sandhills Community College and a master’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University.

Her previous honors include the North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council’s Educator of the Year Award in 2022, Sigma Theta Tau recognition and the FirstHealth Moore Regional Auxiliary Award.

The Astemo Endowed Faculty Chair Award includes a $2,500 stipend and a chair bearing an engraved brass nameplate.