Essex's Novlene Williams-Mills Presented with NJCAA Achievement Award

Tuscon, AZ - Former stand-out track and field star Novlene Williams-Mills, of Essex County College was presented with the NJCAA Achievement Award at the NJCAA National meetings held in March. The honor is presented to former NJCAA student-athletes who have displayed outstanding athletic ability in national, Olympic or international competition and possess excellent ethical character.

From 2000-02, Williams-Mills made her presence felt at Essex County (N.J.) as one of the nation's elite sprinters. A three-time NJCAA All-American, Williams-Mills won two NJCAA championships during her time with the Wolverines including the 400-meter dash at the 2002 NJCAA Indoor Championships. Following her stint with the Wolverines, Williams-Mills moved on to Florida where she'd earn NJCAA All-America honors five times.

Her success continued on to the international level where she earned three bronze medals as part of the Jamaican 4x400 that claimed bronze at the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. Following the games in London, Williams-Mills was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. After her final surgery in January 2013, she worked her way back up to a competitive level and won the 400-meter dash at the 2014 World Diamond Championships.

Williams-Mills now travels the world to raise awareness from breast cancer. Her efforts on and off the track were also recognized in 2014 when she was inducted into the NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

The 2015 NJCAA Service and Recognition awards were presented in March during the opening ceremonies of the 74th NJCAA Annual Meeting. Each year, the NJCAA recognizes individuals from its member institutions and national office staff that have excelled on the playing field or have exemplified the organization's principles of leadership, achievement and service.