Community College Professors Honored for Excellence
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-March 4, 2013- Today the California Community College Board of Governors awarded Carolyn Borg, Scott Lankford, Sandra Haynes, and Richard Mahon with the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) 2013 Hayward Award. These four faculty members were selected from across the state for their commitment to professional excellence in their field, as well as their contributions to their community.
With 25 years of service and experience at Shasta College, Carolyn Borg, Ph.D., is Dedicated to Open Access
Carolyn Borg works diligently and enthusiastically to make Shasta College a better and more effective place of learning. As a full-time distance education counselor, she serves the diverse needs of Shasta College's specialized populations such as CalWorks, English as a second language, transfer, career technical education and international students. Borg takes pride in supporting the mission and commitment of Shasta College to provide expanded access for students in Shasta's district by offering students in remote locations easier access to online matriculation and orientation. Borg just doesn't create opportunities for students - she participates as well. Currently she is taking an online course to better understand the challenges students face when using Shasta College's online learning platform.
"[Carolyn] has demonstrated time and again her fervent commitment to this institution, to the California community college mission and to advancing higher education in general," Shasta College Academic Senate Vice President Susan Meacham said in her letter of support.
Foothill College Language Arts Professor Scott Lankford, Ph.D., is Dedicated to Diversity and Sustainability
Since his arrival on campus in 1989, Scott Lankford has been an active and involved member of the campus community. A co-founder of the Center for a Sustainable Future, Lankford works to infuse sustainability across the curriculum and in career counseling and student activities. As a 2012-2013 Stanford Human Rights Education Initiative Visiting Scholar Fellow, Lankford is designing curriculum around human rights issues for community college faculty which will use social media as a teaching platform. His commitment to his craft and students reaches far beyond the classroom. Lankford serves as secretary to the district-wide Multicultural Staff Association, is a co-founder of the Gay/Straight Alliance and the LGBT Employees Association, and through his efforts, Foothill College became the first California community college to offer domestic partner benefits to its employees. Three years ago he launched Foothill's Native American Heritage Month and serves on the President's steering committee focusing on the campus equity plan and other diversity concerns.
"Ultimately, it is impossible to imagine our campus without the presence and involvement of [Scott Lankford] . . . He is committed to student success and to creating opportunities for faculty members to contribute to that success," wrote Dolores Davison, Academic Senate President at Foothill College.
California Community College Alum Sandra Haynes, Upholds High Academic Standards at Pasadena City College
Art History Professor Sandra Haynes has a strong passion for teaching and learning. Her long-standing appreciation for and understanding of how community colleges historically serve a diverse population is the foundation of her dedication to the faculty and students at Pasadena City College. Following the college mission to support students in a robust, innovative learning environment, Haynes worked to help the college develop its distance education standards and curriculum. She devotes great time and effort to promote student success and cultural diversity in the arts. As an original member of Pasadena City College's renowned Artist-in-Residence Program, Haynes brings prominent artists to the college to work with students and developed new art history courses that have earned Haynes recognition as one of the top innovative faculty members in the nation by Blackboard.
"Because of [Haynes] professional and great work, the standards in the area of Art History have been maintained at the highest levels . . . [Her] experience, commitment, and dedication to excellence in education are of the highest order and our students studying under [her] benefit tremendously," said Alex Kritselis, Retired Dean of Visual Arts and Media Studies at Pasadena City College.
Richard Mahon, Ph.D., Professor of Humanities at Riverside City College, is Focused on Student Success
Riverside City College is committed to providing a high-quality affordable education to a diverse community of learners and Richard Mahon works diligently to ensure students experience this commitment. Mahon works tirelessly to ensure students receive open access as he teaches classes both on campus and online and is always available for his students. His philosophy of cutting funding to district offices instead of cutting instruction doesn't win him any popularity contests, but if he can keep courses from being cut so students who rely on community colleges as a stepping stone in reaching successes in their lives, then Mahon doesn't need to be popular. Students enjoy the enthusiasm he brings to teaching his subjects and is known for providing real world, up-to-date information to his students.
"Richard Mahon has used his time, talents, and intellect not to become a captain of industry or a high ranking politician, but to become an excellent educator and professor who supports the success of the students of the State of California and to promote the mission of California community colleges," wrote his senate President, Lee Nelson.
The Hayward Award recipients were honored at the March 4, 2013, Board of Governors' meeting with a plaque and a cash award of $1,250 from the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges fosters the effective participation by community college faculty in all statewide and local academic and professional matters; develops, promotes, and acts upon policies responding to statewide concerns; and serves as the official voice of the faculty of California Community Colleges in academic and professional matters. The Academic Senate strengthens and supports the local senates of all California community colleges.
Chancellor's Press Release 030413
Photo Gallery from Hayward Awards presentation at BOG 030413