COLLINS EARNS SIMON DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD
By Pete Rosenbery
As a faculty member and director of the School of Allied Health, Scott Collins has worked hard to ensure that the university’s radiologic science and medical dosimetry programs continue to adapt.
Collins’ practical philosophy, commitment and ability to challenge students to achieve their best are among several reasons for his selection as the College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ 2017 E.J. and Mary C. Simon Distinguished Faculty Award recipient.
“I’m honored that people would think I am worthy of the award,” Collins said. “This is a great job and very rewarding. I work with a great team and feel very fortunate to be here.”
E.J. Simon was dean of the college from its inception in 1951 until his retirement in 1970, and both he and his wife, Mary C. Simon, remained strong supporters of the university and the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. E.J. Simon died in 1989; Mary Simon passed away in 2011.
During his 17 years at SIU, Collins has overseen the radiation therapy program and developed the dosimetry program. He has also been heavily involved in developing online programs within the School of Allied Health.
Dean Andy Wang, who nominated Collins, wrote that Collins has taught every radiation therapy and medical dosimetry course the colleges offers. In addition to his administrative duties, Collins continues to teach nine credit hours each fall and spring semester and four credit hours in the summer within the medical dosimetry program. Along with numerous awards for research and university and community service, Collins has been instrumental in securing about $1.8 million in equipment donations for the radiation therapy and medical dosimetry programs.
Collins “has demonstrated extraordinary lifetime achievement with respect to program development, teaching, research, and service, directly related to the education and general welfare of students in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts,” Wang wrote.
Wang notes that the first attempt, five-year pass rate for graduates’ credentialing examinations for the American Registration of Radiologic Technologists Radiation Therapy examination and the Medical Dosimetry Certification exam are 98.8 percent and 97.3 percent, respectively. Both are well above the respective national pass rates.
Former students point to Collins’ “encouraging attitude and practical philosophy” as reasons they chose SIU’s program.
Crystal Bull wrote that Collins was an engaging lecturer and “able to teach in ways all students could learn,” making sure that they understood difficult concepts. Collins has been a mentor who seeks to connect with students both professionally and personally, she wrote. Bull, who is an oncology vendor, wrote that she visits various clinic sites around the country and people are always impressed when she tells them she received her dosimetry education at SIU.
“He is the absolute best teacher I have had the privilege to learn from; he has become my professional mentor; he inspires the very best in me and of his students, and I aspire to the level of service and commitment he has to the dosimetry profession,” Bull wrote.
Julie Rolfingsmeier, a certified medical dosimetrist, wrote that Collins encourages students to take their coursework seriously, be prepared for class, and is more than willing to research answers to class questions. He uses personal experiences within the radiation therapy and medical dosimetry fields to enhance learning beyond what is written in textbooks.
“Dr. Collins had a great impact on my education and my career,” Rolfingsmeier wrote. “He inspired me to continue my education and continues to inspire me and other students by continuing to be involved in research and the growth of radiation therapy professions.”
Collins, who is originally from Grayville, credits Steven C. Jensen, professor emeritus, with helping spark his interest in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry, and later encouraging him to teach at SIU Carbondale. A five-degree alumnus, Collins, earned associate degrees in allied health careers and radiologic technology, a bachelor’s degree in health care management, a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in the philosophy program from Workforce Education and Development.
Collins said he wants to help students find their way with their careers, but that it is also important to hold them to a standard.
“I want them to succeed and I will help them as long as they are willing to do their part too,” Collins said. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students passing their certification exams, becoming credentialed in their respective fields and getting jobs.”
Collins began his career at SIU as an assistant professor in radiologic sciences and radiation therapy in 2000. He was promoted to assistant professor in 2007 and professor in 2013. He became director of the School of Allied Health in January 2014. Since then, Collins has worked with faculty and staff to increase enrollment from 758 students in January 2014 to 921 students in fall 2016 – a 21.5 percent increase enrollment.
Collins attributes the increase to a growth in the program’s online offerings. The accredited graduate-level dosimetry program Collins developed while the late Paul Sarvela was dean was the college’s first graduate program.
Collins said he realized the importance of online technology, and has been involved in some form with every online program offered through the School of Allied Health.
“We have pushed the envelope here,” he said. “We see that online education is an area of growth because it allows flexibility and convenience to people who are geographically restricted to get a degree, work, provide for their family and then hopefully punch their ticket to move to the next level.”
As the Simon award winner, Collins received a monetary award, plaque, and gave a speech at the annual CASA Honors Day ceremony on April 8.
In congratulating students for their success, Collins discussed the need for students to continue to strive for high standards and keep a high level of achievement, but to also not be afraid.
“You don’t grow unless there is a chance of failure. There is going to be failure,” he said. “The No. 1 thing from failure is to learn from the experience and then to try again. Don’t become scared of trying. Give it your best and be a person of your word. If you say you are going to do something – do it. Never settle for second best.”
Collins and his wife, Sandra, live in Carterville and have four children – Kari, Nathan, Savanah, and Courtney.