Press contact: Kyla Kruse

SPRINGFIELD — Derek Matlock of Pawnee, instructor of heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVACR) at Lincoln Land Community College’s Workforce Institute, was recently recognized as a recipient of a 2025 NISOD Excellence Award. The honor was awarded at NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence held May 24-27 in Austin, Texas.

The distinction recognizes Matlock’s outstanding contributions to Lincoln Land Community College and his unwavering commitment to student success and excellence in teaching.

Matlock has been an instructor at LLCC’s Workforce Institute since 2021. The Workforce Institute offers a certificate of achievement in HVACR as well as programs in auto technology, aviation maintenance, commercial electrical maintenance, construction, diesel technologies, electrical distribution lineman, hospitality and culinary, industrial technology, truck driver training and welding. To learn more, visit llcc.edu/workforce.