Marieb Award
Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence
The Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence is presented annually to the faculty member who best exhibits excellence in teaching, passion and enthusiasm for learning, and genuine concern for students’ academic and personal growth. Full-time faculty with five or more years of service are eligible for the award.* The award program is administered by the Holyoke Community College Foundation (division of Institutional Advancement) and the selection committee is composed of previous awardees (2), President’s designee (2), and member of the Student Senate (1), along with one non-voting member from the HCC Foundation Board of Directors. The recipient receives a cash stipend, is formally celebrated at the College’s January Professional Day that begins the spring semester, has their name inscribed on a plaque placed outside their office, leads the Commencement procession by carrying the ceremonial mace, and addresses the community with a speech during the Commencement ceremony. Awardees representing the two most recent years will serve on the Marieb Chair Selection Committee.
*A faculty member is not eligible to receive the award more than once in a three-year period.
Nomination and Selection
Announcement of the Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence will begin with a call for nominations. Nominations may be submitted by any members of the HCC community using the online form here.
Selection Committee, 2025:
- 2024 Marieb Chair
- 2023 Marieb Chair
- President’s Designee
- President’s Designee
- Student Senator
- HCC Foundation Board of Directors (non-voting)
Nomination and Selection Timeline*:
September – October: Call for Nominations
October – November: Selection Committee meetings to determine the recipient
November – December: Celebration video in production
January: Recipient notified 24 hours prior to Professional Day
January: Professional Day / Announcement of Recipient
January – May: Plaque displayed, awardee provided time to prepare Commencement speech; awardee invited to play a role in the celebration of other colleagues during end-of-semester employee recognition ceremony
May/June Awardee addresses faculty, graduates, and guests at the Commencement ceremony
*This timeline is effective Fall 2025 for the 2026 Marieb Faculty Chair recipient. The process for the 2025 recipient will begin with a call for nominations in February/March 2025, followed by review and selection in April, and notification and celebration in May. In order to ensure an audience of the greatest number of faculty to celebrate the awardee, the 2025 Marieb Faculty Chair will be announced on the morning of Assessment Day on May 21, 2025.
Nominations are the sole way in which an individual will be evaluated. Nominees will not be asked/required to submit an application following nomination; thus, thorough nominations that address the award criteria are critical.
The names of all eligible nominees will be shared, in confidence, with Academic Affairs leadership (e.g., vice president, academic dean) prior to the committee’s review. Academic Affairs leadership will be asked to provide a brief statement in support of the nominee, specifically noting that the nominee has received a rating of satisfactory or higher on student evaluations for the last three years.
A rating system is provided to the selection committee to assist with the review of nominations and selection of the recipient. Nominated faculty will be rated based upon the following criteria:
|
Rating (1-5) |
Weighted |
|
|
Excellence and innovation in teaching |
45% |
|
|
Genuine concern for students’ academic and personal growth |
25% |
|
|
Dedication to inclusive practices |
10% |
|
|
Commitment to community engagement |
10% |
|
|
Passion and enthusiasm for learning |
10% |
Announcement and Celebration
The Marieb Faculty Chair will be notified of their selection 24 hours prior to the date of the public announcement (at January Professional Day). Advance notice will enable the awardee to reach out to family and friends to encourage their attendance, either in-person or virtually. This also provides time for the awardee to collect their thoughts in advance of addressing their colleagues upon acceptance of the award. While the element of surprise is exciting and makes for a memorable moment, more important is making every attempt to ensure the awardee is present for and prepared to accept this prestigious award.
Being acknowledged for one’s excellence in teaching and impact on students is a high honor, even if not ultimately selected for the award. All individuals receiving nomination(s) will be notified by the review committee of their nomination.
In-Person and Virtual Celebration Option
Coordinating the time and location of the Marieb Faculty Chair announcement will be done in consultation with the Professional Day planning committee. Every effort will be made to ensure there is both an in-person and virtual attendance option for the award announcement.
Video Announcement of Awardee
The Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence has long been announced by way of a video that helps build anticipation for our community. This video provides the awardee with a special memento that is unique to their HCC experience, personality, and academic discipline. This tradition will continue, and is best accomplished with the help of those who know the awardee best. Individuals completing nomination forms will be asked to indicate their interest in participating in the video (should their nominee be selected), and also to share the names of others who may wish to be contacted for this purpose.
Ongoing Recognition and History
A complete list of all past Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence recipients will be available on the College’s website, along with links to any media (e.g. awardee’s Commencement remarks, press announcement of award, etc.) that further commemorates their honor.
2024 – Fred Cooksey
Professor of English
Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities
2023 – Joseph Bruseo
Professor of Biology
Business & Science
2022 – Sheila Gould
Professor of Education
Social Sciences
2021 – Raúl Gutiérrez
Associate Professor of Latinx Studies and Spanish
Arts and Humanities
2020 – Vanessa Martinez
Professor of Anthropology
Social Science
2019 – Lisa Mahon
Professor of English
Arts and Humanities
2018 - Alex Sanchez
Professor Criminal Justice
Social Sciences
2017- Vivian Leskes
Professor of English as a Second Language
Arts and Humanities
2016 - Ileana Vasu
Professor of Mathematics
Business, Science, Engineering & Math
2015 - Patricia Sandoval
Professor, Communications, Media, Theater Arts
Humanities
2014 – James Knapp
Professor of Biology
Biology, Science, Technology, and Math
2013 – Monica Torregrosa
Professor of Spanish
Arts and Humanities
2012 – Kathleen Maiolatesi
Chair, Sustainability Studies
Health and Natural Sciences
2011 – Diane Beers
Professor of History
Social Sciences
2010 – Deborah Fairman
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
2009 – Jane Vecchio
Professor of Psychology
Social Sciences
2008 – Kim Hicks
Professor of English
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
2007 – Eileen Kelley
Professor English as a Second Language
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
2007 – Pamela Kennedy
Professor of English as a Second Language
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
2006 – Kathryn Root
Professors of Radiologic Technology
Health
2005 – Frank Cressotti
Professor of Art
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
2004 – Susan Mackler
Professor of Data Management/Computer Information Systems
Business
2003 – Anne Potter
Professor of Retail Management/Business
Business
2002 – Candida Johnson
Professor of Business
Business
2001 – Mark Clinton
Professor of Government
Social Sciences
2000 – Gerard L’Heureux
Professor Chemistry/Geology/Oceanography/Physical Science
Science, Engineering & Math
1999 – Kathryn Holmes
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
1998 – Jim Dutcher
Professor of English
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
1997 – Phyllis Barrett
Professor of English
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
1996 – Linda Mecourri
Business
1995 – Patricia Triggs
Nursing
1994 – Jack Mino and David Ram
Social Sciences; Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
1993 – Stanley Dunny
Professor of Chemistry
Science, Engineering & Math
1992 – Marion Copeland
Professor of English
Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts
1991 – George Ashley
Professor of History and Anthropology
Social Sciences
