National Forensics Association Honors Freeman for Exemplary Service

WARRENSBURG, MO – A faculty member who has been a cheerleader for her students’ success at the University of Central Missouri has been honored by an organization that advances the forensics teaching profession. Nicole “Nikki” Freeman has received the National Forensics Association’s Eddie Myers Distinguished Service Award for Exemplary Service.

Freeman is an associate professor of communication studies and assistant director of forensics at UCM, where she began working as an instructor in 2011 and climbed her way up the professional ladder. The Eddy Myers Distinguished Service Award has only been presented 33 times by the NFA’s national council since its establishment. Although it is not presented annually, it is reserved for those educators who truly distinguish themselves above and beyond their peers in exemplary service to the association and its membership.

To be considered for the award, an individual must go through a rigorous nomination process, requiring an extensive nomination letter, as well as numerous external statements of support from other forensics coaches, educators and students. The vote on Freeman’s selection was unanimous.

Freeman learned that she was selected for the award via a video conference call with the NFA National Council on March 20. The national conference where she was scheduled to receive the award was canceled due to COVID-19.

In commenting about the award, Freeman said it is humbling and almost overwhelming to be selected.

“When I look at the list of previous winners, it’s full of people I consider my mentors and idols; the “giants’ within the speech and debate community, and it’s really humbling to have your name join that list. I have been extremely lucky to work with and for amazing educators, coaches, and students here at UCM, but also as part of a greater speech and debate community, and they inspire me to try my best to make our activity and experience the best it can be.”

Freeman has been associated with the NFA as one of UCM’s coaches since 2010, a year before she began her teaching career on campus.  As an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa, she competed in NFA events as a member of her school’s speech team.

Her involvement with NFA includes her service as Vice President for Professional Relations, which includes chairing the Research Committee, Chair of the Wellness Committee, the NFA Title IX Liaison, and National Tournament Tab Staff. In the past, she also has been a member of the Ethics Committee.
 
In addition to teaching in two emphasis areas - organizational communication and communication education - Freeman serves as assistant director of the UCM Talking Mules Speech and Debate Team. Her primary focus is on teaching and coaching 11 different events in which her students compete. These events are broken into three categories: limited preparation events, platform speaking events, and interpretation and literature events.

The dedicated coach and teacher said being an educator comes with great satisfaction. Contributing to this is the opportunity to interact with students, inspire them to find their “voice,” and “to become comfortable and confident enough to share it boldly.”

“There is nothing better than cheering a student on and then seeing them accomplish something they didn’t think they were capable of doing. Or hearing from students semesters (or even years) later and learning about all the amazing things they’ve accomplished,” she said. “I think our job as educators is to provide opportunities to engage with content in applicable and meaningful ways. My goal is to always answer the questions, ‘Why is this important?’ and ‘How can/will I use this after I leave this room?’ in my classes.”

Freeman has a great passion for teaching, and strives to convey to students that they have someone who wants to help them succeed. Asked what she would like students to remember about their experience with her, she said she hopes they realize that “I care for them and respect them as more than just students. I see them as individuals who are in the midst of a significant period of growth and discovery in their lives. And it’s not always easy. So I try to teach them content that will help them both professionally and personally."

“I hope they remember that I’m their cheerleader,” she continued. “A cheerleader with high expectations who will push them to be better and hold them accountable, but with a smile and an encouraging word.”