Mesa Community College recently recognized faculty members for excellence in teaching and learning with Endowed Teaching Awards.

Faculty members Diana Breed, R.N. and Elizabeth “Bootsie” Martinez received Endowed Teaching Chair awards for excellence in instruction and demonstrated engagement in innovative and effective teaching practices, according to a release.

Breed, residential nursing faculty, is the recipient of the Endowed Teaching Chair Award for residential faculty, receiving $15,000 over three years.

“I am overwhelmed and so thankful,” said Breed. “I have loved teaching here at MCC for the past 18 years and understand the significance of this honor."

Martinez, adjunct administration of justice studies faculty, is the recipient of the Endowed Teaching Chair Award for adjunct faculty, receiving $2,000 over two years.

“I love the AJS Department and I am so enthusiastic about teaching our students,” said Martinez. “Mesa Community College has been amazing to me since I moved here in 2016 and began teaching in AJS. I look forward to more opportunities to be of service to the students and to the college.”

Awards were presented to honorees in separate small, surprise, virtual gatherings in May 2021.

The endowment was established with funding from private donors and employees and matching funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Education through MCC’s Title III Foundations for Student Success grant. MCC’s Office of Development coordinated this philanthropic effort with support from the Foundations for Student Success. The awards for residential and adjunct faculty focus on recognizing and rewarding teaching excellence and demonstrate MCC’s commitment to quality instruction.

About MCC

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education.

For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Go to mesacc.eduto.