Connie Link Outstanding Mentorship Award

The Connie Link Outstanding Mentorship Award is named in memory of long-standing member and past president Connie Link The award is given to a teacher currently teaching (or retired) in Illinois who has taught speech, theatre, and/or English for a significant length of time (10 years or more). The qualifications for this award include distinguished service to the association and outstanding achievement in the profession, especially in mentorship of teachers and/or speech/theatre coaches and directors. This award recognizes outstanding mentorship toward new and current ICTA members, assistance in recruitment of new members to the organization and outreach to past ICTA members who are no longer active in the organization. The award recipient must have been an active member of ICTA for at least 5 years.

2026 Connie Link Outstanding
Mentorship Award Winner 

Margaret Bilos - Harper College

Professor Margaret Bilos is an accomplished educator, coach, department leader, and mentor who has served Harper College and the Illinois communication community for more than 20 years. As a longtime department chair, she has guided dozens of adjunct faculty members, helping instructors strengthen their teaching, navigate change, and build confidence in the classroom. During the transition to online learning, her responsiveness and generosity helped colleagues preserve connections with students. Margaret also created and oversees a dual-credit speech program with more than 25 sections each semester. Through observation, guidance, and partnership, she helps high school instructors meet college-level expectations while expanding access to communication education. Within ICTA, she develops professional-learning opportunities, welcomes newer educators, encourages established members, and helps colleagues feel connected to the profession. Her mentorship is equally visible in speech and debate. Margaret has coached students to hundreds of state and national individual awards and two team national championships, yet her legacy is the confidence, discipline, resilience, and critical-thinking skills her students carry forward. A respected judge, she offers feedback that is perceptive, constructive, and encouraging. She also hosts the Mid-Suburban League Conference Speech Championship at Harper. Margaret’s sustained mentorship and service exemplify the Connie Link Outstanding Mentorship Award.