The 2025 Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient

Congratulations to NWACC alumna Martha Cortes for winning the 2025 Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award!

This annual award recognizes outstanding alumni who have been successful in their career fields and have made a positive impact on the community.

Martha Patricia Cortes was born in Durango, Mexico. She came to the USA in January of 1994. Martha is a former student of the Northwest Arkansas Community College Adult Education Program. Martha began working as a receptionist in 2002 and has served in various job positions within the same department. In July of 2007, she passed her US Citizenship test. In May of 2010, she received her Associates of Arts Degree from NWACC, and she is planning on completing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource and Workforce Development at the University of Arkansas in the near future. Martha encourages adult students to get involved in education to better their future and to pursue their dreams. Martha is the Enrollment Specialist at Northwest Arkansas Community College Adult Education Center. Martha and her husband Fabian live in Rogers and have four children and two granddaughters. 

Martha was recognized at the 2025 NWACC Spring commencement ceremony.


Mr. Dick Trammel

Each year, the NWACC Foundation recognizes an alumnus that has excelled in his/her career field and has made a positive impact in his/her community through either public service such as military or public office, civic or philanthropic engagement, community leadership, volunteerism and or involvement in NWACC recruitment and retention activities. 

The namesake for this award, Mr. Dick Trammel, has been an inspiration to the Northwest Arkansas community with a lasting legacy of service. Mr. Trammel served as a Founding Trustee of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, continues to serve on the NWACC Foundation Board of Directors, and will forever be a part of this institution's history.


Past Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award Winners

2023 - Shelley Attaway

2022 - Gregory Forrester 

2021 - Patricia Rodriguez

2020 - Jonathan J. Janacek

2019 - Luis Martinez

2018 - Raul 'Rulli' Torres

2017 - Rodney H. Bailey

2016 - Mindy K. Walker

2015 - Todd Thomas

2014 - Wes Morris

2013 - Becky Hudson

2012 - Cathy Yockey

2011 - Nichole Mannion

2010 - Stephen Sims

2009 - Rick McLeod

2008 - Sue Ann Pekel

2007 - Deb Moore

2006 - Deborah Louise Morey Weineke

2005 - Robert Hamilton

2004 - Lisa Lee

2003 - Jasmin Snarr

2002 - Mindy Ellington

2001 - Elaine Holloway

2000 - Tonya Woods

1999 - NA

1998 - Kevin McAbee