Jessica Herron, a nursing instructor at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, was named 2012 Instructor of the Year by the Minnesota State College Student Association.

The recognition came during the recent spring general assembly of the organization at Breezy Point. More than 300 student leaders from two-year public colleges in the state convened for the opportunity to honor individuals such as Herron, who have been influential in educating others.

Herron became a full-time nursing program instructor at Central Lakes College (CLC) in 2008. She had served as adjunct instructor prior to that.

She earned her associate’s degree in 2002 from CLC. She has worked as a registered nurse at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.

Herron earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in December of 2008 from the College of St. Scholastica.