Spring 2024 “Best in Class” Faculty Award Winner: Patricia Orr

At National American University (NAU), we know that our best teaching assets are our faculty. Our faculty are knowledgeable, dedicated, and caring instructors focused on helping their students succeed. To recognize faculty members that go above and beyond to make an impact on their students, we created the “Best in Class” faculty award.

The “Best in Class” faculty award is based on the NAU Core Values: Integrity, Accountability, Pursuit of Excellence, Courage to Act, and Innovation. Many NAU faculty are nominated and demonstrate distinction in one or more of the core values.

For the Spring 2024 academic term, NAU’s leadership team is honored and proud to present the “Best in Class” award to Patricia Orr.

Patricia was nominated because she demonstrated the following faculty characteristics:

Patricia is a standout faculty member at NAU, known for her dedication and excellence. She’s always prepared for her courses, checking in almost daily to ensure students get quick responses and timely grades. In the challenging field of medical coding, Patricia doesn’t just teach—she empowers her students with the feedback and guidance they need to succeed. Her commitment goes beyond the classroom, too. Patricia actively participates in trainings, serves on the Healthcare CAP Committee, and has earned several NAU badges for her outstanding contributions. She’s not just a valued team member—she’s a driving force for NAU’s commitment to providing quality higher education in a caring and supportive environment.

Patricia was nominated by Dr. LaShunda Smith.

Patricia’s contributions to our team and to NAU students’ success cannot be captured solely in this one award; however, we are grateful for these opportunities to recognize the hard work and dedication of our faculty.