The Professor of the Year Award was established in 1975 and is given annually to honor excellence in teaching. The award is based on excellence in the classroom; impact on students, both in and out of class; contributions to the department, the college, and the profession; contributions to curriculum development; and community service. Faculty members may not receive the Professor of the Year award more than once every five years.
The recipient of the Professor of the Year Award:
- serves as grand marshal for Moraine Valley’s graduation ceremony,
- is formally recognized at the annual Staff Recognition Dinner (held in late spring), and
- is nominated by the college for annual faculty recognition awards.
Nomination Process
The nomination process generally begins in late fall and ends in late March of the following spring term.
- Official Student Nomination Forms are distributed college-wide for use in nominating a candidate for the award.
- Additional nomination forms are issued to full-time faculty members, applicable academic deans, and the Executive Leadership Team for use in nominating a candidate for the award.
- After the nomination process is closed, a first-level screening is conducted to advance candidates (according to criteria) to the Faculty Development Committee for a second screening.
- Given appropriate criteria, members of the Faculty Development Committee select three finalists to be placed on a ballot.
- Official Faculty & Administrative Professional ballots are issued to all full-time faculty members, applicable academic deans, and the Executive Leadership Team.
- The candidate who receives the most votes cast is the recipient of the Professor of the Year Award.
Previous Professor of the Year Recipients
2026: Dr. Amani Wazwaz
2025: Merri Fefles-Dunkle
2024: Joe Flynn
2023: Krista Syrup
2022: Dave Viar
2021: Dr. Maha Sweis-Dababneh
2020: Dr. Linda Brandt
2019: Dr. John Sands
2018: Dr. Tom Dow
2017: Dr. Craig Rosen
2016: Sheryl Bundy
2015: Michelle August
2014: Debbie Guerrero
2013: Dr. Jeannine M. Christensen
2012: Keith Nabb
2011: Nicholas Shizas
2010: Nick Thomas
2009: Michelle Zurawski
2008: J.C. Malitzke
2007: Donna McCauley
2006: Delwyn Jones
2005: Mike Timmons
2004: Dr. Kristine M. Christensen
2003: Sue Phelan
2002: Janice Hill
2001: Edward E. Devine
2000: Deborah Z. Poropat
1999: Thomas H. Sullivan
1998: Agita Huns
1997: John J. Burian
1996: John Sullivan
1995: James F. Higgins
1994: Jane Corradetti
1993: Richard Fritz
1992: Joanna Kirvaitis
1991: Douglas Gehrke
1990: Phyllis Kozlowski
1989: Patricia McKeague
1988: Nancy Potempa and Mary Rita Freudenthal
1987: Harold Boadway and William Muller
1986: Anne Brown Donnersberger
1985: Randy DeVillez and Mary Rita Sullivan
1984: Kay Schneegas
1980-81: Francine Smolucha
1979-80: Richard Fritz
1978-79: Justin Synnestvedt
1977-78: Raoul De La Noval
1976-77: Roger Carlsen
1975-76: Roland Arocha