In the inaugural round of 麻豆社鈥檚 Bi-Annual Faculty Institutional Excellence Award, three outstanding professors have been honored: Laura Diggle, Tina Ousley, and Jean Halbeisen. Twice each year, program chairs, deans, and direct managers nominate faculty members who exemplify the core values of ANU. Nominees are recognized for their dedication to teaching and student success, their dynamic and supportive instructional style, strong communication skills, and their lasting impact on students鈥� educational journeys. This award celebrates faculty who go above and beyond鈥攓ualities clearly demonstrated by this year鈥檚 recipients through their unwavering commitment to their students, classrooms, and the high-quality education ANU strives to deliver.
Laura Diggle
After earning an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, Laura Diggle began her teaching career at Ivy Tech Community College. While teaching, she pursued her Bachelor of Science in Allied Healthcare Management at Franklin University, which led to her appointment as Program Director at Ivy Tech鈥檚 Anderson, Indiana campus. She continued her academic journey at Franklin University, earning a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Performance Technology, and has since begun working toward an EdD in Instructional Design Leadership.
She joined 麻豆社 in the fall of 2018 as an adjunct faculty member and transitioned into the Health Science Program Chair role in July 2020. Currently, she serves as a Curriculum Designer, a position that allows her to collaborate across all programs and build meaningful connections throughout the ANU community.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys coaching her daughter鈥檚 soccer team, tackling home improvement projects, cooking, watching sports, and engaging in creative pursuits.
Tina Ousley
Tina Ousley earned her Master of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Microbiology in 2004 and has since spent over 21 years teaching a variety of biology courses, including general biology, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology. A proud Kentucky native, she currently resides in the scenic Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky with her husband, an art professor.
In addition to her work in education, she is a passionate artist who enjoys expressive oil painting. She is also the proud mother of an amazing 28-year-old son and shares her home with three beloved dogs. An avid gardener, backpacker, and hiker, she recently began rock climbing with her son, continuing her lifelong love of adventure and the outdoors.
Jean Halbeisen
Affectionately known as 鈥淢rs. H鈥� by her students, Jean Halbeisen has been a dedicated instructor in medical billing and coding at 麻豆社 for 20 years. With a total of 30 years of experience in healthcare, she began her career in a pediatric office, where she held roles in bookkeeping, front office operations, and patient/medical insurance administration. Her extensive hands-on experience with all major third-party payers, as well as her proficiency in both the soft and technical skills essential to a medical office environment, laid a strong foundation for her transition into education.
It was during her decade of work in the outpatient setting that Jean developed a deep curiosity and passion for the business side of healthcare鈥攕pecifically coding, billing, and reimbursement. That passion ultimately led her to teaching full-time, a role she considers both a calling and a privilege. Jean takes pride in guiding students through the intricacies of medical coding and helping them recognize the vital role they play in the success of healthcare facilities. She finds immense satisfaction in their 鈥渁ha鈥� moments鈥攚hen concepts click, confidence grows, and professional goals come into focus.
Jean holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Mennonite University, a Medical Office Specialist diploma, and is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the AAPC.
A Virginia native, Jean lives in Bridgewater in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley with her husband of 36 years. She is the proud mother of two adult children and a loving 鈥淕rammy鈥� to three grandchildren: a 12-year-old grandson and 10-year-old twin grandchildren鈥攁 boy and a girl鈥攚ho she fondly refers to as her 鈥渂aby doozies.鈥�
Outside the classroom, Jean enjoys beach getaways to the Outer Banks, spending time with family and friends, trying out new recipes, playing the piano, watching classic movies and old TV shows, listening to the oldies, and browsing local and family-owned gift shops.
