CCC Alumnus, Administrator and Instructor Receive NCCA Awards
November 5, 2024
Central Community College graduate Quinn Webb (pictured below), athletic director Mary Young (pictured left) and early childhood education instructor Jackie Zeckser (pictured center) received awards at the Nebraska Community College Association (NCCA) annual conference on Nov. 3 and 4 in Norfolk. The receipients were introduced by CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall (pictured right).
Webb received the Distinguished Alumni Award for CCC, Young was presented with the Administrator or Staff Award and Zeckser received the Faculty Member Award.
Webb earned an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice from Central Community College-Grand Island in 2003; graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 2010; and completed a bachelor of science degree at Wayne State College in 2021.
Webb’s educational journey began at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he majored in chemistry and minoring in criminal justice. However, he said he discovered that criminal justice was more fun than chemistry. Webb’s discovery and life circumstances led him to enroll at CCC-Grand Island. He also began working at the Hall County Sheriff’s office where he said he gained invaluable real-world experience as a law enforcement officer. He spent 20 years with the Hall County Sheriff’s office, serving as a sergeant, captain and chief deputy.
Since 2020, Webb has been assistant director of the Hall County Department of Corrections and is responsible for overseeing its 80,000-square-foot facility, which houses 321 inmates and has 88 full-time employees. Under his leadership, Hall County Corrections has worked with CCC to implement programs that promote criminal justice careers and, through its internship program, has certified several CCC students in corrections.
“It’s a huge honor for me. I’m real proud of my education that I had with Central Community College,” said Webb. “I’m also read proud of the professional relationship with my career that I’ve been able to develop with CCC and further other individuals’ careers in criminal justice. It’s an awesome privilege.”
Young serves as both the CCC athletics director and head coach of the Raiders volleyball team. She is also extensively involved in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Young is the current NJCAA senior women's administrator and serves on several of the organization’s committees, including the championship events, sports governance and eligibility committees. She is a past president of the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association, Region 9 director and assistant director, and was an inaugural NJCAA Board of Regents member. Young was instrumental in the addition of beach volleyball as an NJCAA sport. She played a key role in negotiating the dual membership between the NJCAA and AVCA for volleyball coaches.
Earlier this year, Young was named a recipient of the 2024 George E. Killian Award of Excellence. The NJCAA annually presents the award to individuals who have demonstrated the ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and excellence.
In 2019, Young relinquished her role as CCC head volleyball coach after 24 years and assumed the role of athletic director. She returned to the coaching bench in 2021 while retaining her athletic director title. Young is a 14-time Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) Coach of the Year, 13-time Region 9 Coach of the Year and three-time AVCA West Region Coach of the Year.
Young has led the Raiders to 13 Region 9 championships, 17 NCCAC championships and 10 NJCAA national tournaments. She has coached 97 All-Conference players, 90 All-Region performers, 25 NJCAA All-Americans and three AVCA All-Americans. Since 1997, 95 of the student-athletes she has coached have earned NJCAA academic awards.
Young earned her associate of arts degree from CCC-Columbus, a bachelor of science degree in recreation from the University of South Dakota and a master of science degree in counseling-student affairs from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
“I am humbled to receive this award, especially knowing the many excellent administrators we have at CCC,” Young said. “I am living proof of the impact community colleges make, and our work in our respective service areas is inspiring and incredible. This recognition reflects the shared dedication and hard work of our entire athletics department, our student-athletes and the CCC community. Each accomplishment we celebrate is built on a foundation of teamwork, passion and a commitment to supporting our students both on and off the court.”
Zeckser has worked at Central Community College since 2008 when she served as an adjunct instructor. Three years later, she became a full-time early childhood education faculty member at the Hastings Campus where she remains. Zeckser also worked for 25 years at the Head Start program in Hastings and continues to serve as a board member.
Zeckser earned an associate of science degree in family and consumer science from CCC, followed by a bachelor of science degree in human service administration from Bellevue University. She then earned a master of science degree in early childhood education from Concordia University.
As a faculty member, Zeckser has worked with her collegewide peers in creating distance-delivered early childhood courses and student support for learners across CCC’s 25-county service area. This includes early college/high school age, education transfer and nontraditional students. She also assists with multiple college-related activities such as Leap Frog Village, which is a free early childhood engagement program. Leap Frog Village events are held at various times throughout the year and feature a meal and activities that help parents spend quality time with their children. Zeckser is also a member of CCC’s CARE team and campus cleanup. In 2023, she was honored by her peers at CCC-Hastings with the Outstanding Service Award.
Active in the community, Zeckser volunteers her time providing in-service training for home child care providers as well as training required for Department of Health and Human Services licensing. She also serves on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Adams County Extension board; coordinates the SkillsUSA Nebraska competition for early childhood education; and volunteers her time with United Harvest, Prairie Loft and Lakeside Community Church.
“I am blessed because I have the privilege of teaching, mentoring and supporting students as well as a community committed to providing quality care and education to all children,” said Zeckser. “This supports the families of children who know their children are being cared for, nurtured and guided through developmentally appropriate practices. Only when a child feels safe and secure can they learn and only when a parent knows that they are safe and secure can they go to their place of employment and be productive.”