3rd Annual Distinguished Instructor Awards Announced
The Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) Distinguished Faculty Selection Taskforce recently announced the winners of their 3rd Annual Distinguished Instructor Awards. Honorees were selected for their efforts to create an equity-minded, student-centered educational environment at LAMC.
Robert Cucuzza is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Theatre Arts. Since joining the college in 2015 has directed and produced fourteen productions. Professor Cucuzza has also been instrumental in writing curricula for several degrees and certificates, including a Theatre Arts Degree for Transfer and, more recently, a Certificate in Video for Live Entertainment and Technical Theatre. “The intention is to open pathways not just to the theatre community in Los Angeles but also to move our students into the field of TV and film production, for which most of the skill sets of technical theatre are applicable.”, said Cucuzza.
This coming academic year, Professor Cucuzza will share with faculty his work on open-educational resources and conduct workshops to review tools available in Canvas and other software programs.
From left to right: Jacob Skelton, LAMC Academic Senate President Maryanne Galindo, Distinguished Instructor Honoree Bob Cucuzza, and LAMC College President Armida Ornelas, Ph.D.
Althea Manalang Lao is an adjunct professor of English and the Writing Center Coordinator at LAMC where she oversees the tutoring services in the Learning Resource Center. As the Writing Center Coordinator, Professor Lao has promoted the tutoring services provided both on campus and virtually. “I am proudest of our daily-themed activities, specifically Talkative Tuesdays which assists our ESL students with practicing their spoken English in a safe and supportive environment.”
For her upcoming workshop this academic year, Professor Lao will show colleagues how to enhance college preparedness using syllabus quizzes and employ non-violent communication strategies to create a welcoming classroom culture.
From left to right: Jacob Skelton, Al Ybarra, Distinguished Instructor Honoree Althea Lao, LAMC College President Armida Ornelas, Ph.D., and LAMC Vice President of Academic Affairs Laura Cantu, Ph.D.