Recognition

Associate Program receives national award

In 1999 the Associate Program was granted an “award for excellence” as part of the prestigious Hesburgh Award process sponsored by the Teachers Insurance Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF). TIAA-CREF is the largest national retirement system for teachers in the United States. As part of their association with higher education the organization sponsors a national award for meritorious programs in professional development and teaching improvement. Father Hesburgh, for whom the award is named, was an immensely respected educator and president of Notre Dame for thirty-five years.

The Hesburgh Award, which carries a stipend of $30,000, was awarded that year to Georgia Tech. In addition, there are three annual awards for excellence in the field of professional development. These awards went to State University of New York-Stonybrook, the University of Delaware, and College of the Canyons. College of the Canyons was particularly pleased to be in the company of such major universities.

Very few institutions in the country offer professional development specifically designed for adjunct instructors. We are pleased to be in the forefront of this movement and we hope that this award and our example will influence other colleges to address the need to expand professional opportunities for part-time faculty members.

Other past recognition and acknowledgements:

In 2002 the program was also awarded the “Celebrating the Way California Learns” award by the Community College League of California as recognition for distinguished work in the area of professional development.

In 2007 the COC professional development program received an award for excellence from the National Council for Staff, Program and Organizational Development (NCSPOD). The work of the Associate Program was included in the college submission for this award.