MESA, Arizona – Sept. 16, 2026 –Three distinguished Mesa Community College (MCC) faculty members have been named 2026 MCC Endowed Teaching Chair Award recipients.
Life and Environmental Sciences Department faculty member Francesca De Martini and faculty librarian Kristina Santiago received the Drs. Ken and Rebecca Boren Endowed Teaching Chair Award consisting of $10,000 each and paid out over two years.
Life Science Department faculty Sean Whitcomb is the recipient of the MCC Endowed Teaching Chair Award, also consisting of $10,000 and paid out over two years.
“We’re very proud of these awards which have recognized and supported excellence in teaching and learning for more than a decade,” said MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel. “It’s a wonderful distinction for the college as these awards are nationally recognized and made possible through donor support from the community and staff.”
De Martini was selected to receive the award for incorporating authentic scientific research through scaffolded, course-based undergraduate research experiences that build students’ skills, confidence and identity as scientists. The approach has demonstrated strong student engagement and success while creating opportunities to broaden this high-impact experience across biology courses.
Santiago received the award for her innovative, creativity-centered approach that integrates poetry into learning to deepen students’ critical thinking and invite diverse interpretations of texts. Her approach to teaching demonstrates a strong commitment to student voice, expression and meaningful engagement through annotation, dialogue and original creative work.
Whitcomb was honored with the award for creating a highly collaborative learning environment in which students attain knowledge through active participation and meaningful interaction with their peers. The intentional use of rotating groups, individual accountability and peer evaluation supports both shared learning and each student’s individual responsibility for success.
The college’s Office of Philanthropy, the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) and Foundations for Student Success partnered to establish the endowment funds which support the awards program. The MCC Endowed Teaching Chair was established in 2012 with the first award given in 2018. The Drs. Ken and Rebecca Boren Endowed Teaching Chair was established in 2014 with the first award being given in 2024.
MCC faculty are invited to apply for the annual awards by submitting applications to the CTL which prepares them for review by a selection committee. “The committee makes initial recommendations and finalists are then invited to perform a microteaching demonstration for an awarding committee which makes the final selection,” explained Director of the CTL Jennifer Strickland, Ph.D. Each committee includes previous Endowed Chair Awards faculty, deans and residential faculty.
Strickland said applicants are selected by evidence of teaching excellence including: Teaching strategies and instructional approaches, evidence of student learning, instructional improvements informed by data, student engagement practices and contributions to the teaching community.
Applicants also were asked to provide supporting materials, such as examples of student support, letters of reference or other relevant documentation.
“Our continuing success in providing a quality education to our students requires talented, committed and effective educators who share MCC’s mission to affect and support the success of our students both in the classroom and on their career path,” said Dr. Daniel.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, [email protected], 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 23,000 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 5,677 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.