John Wadach, a professor of engineering science and physics at Monroe Community College in Rochester and a member of the MCC Faculty Association, was named Outstanding Community Colleges Professor of the Year.
The national award is sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. It recognizes professors for their influence on teaching and commitment to undergraduate students.
The foundation noted: "Wadach's dedication to his students goes beyond the classroom walls. His efforts to promote engineering and mentor students are wide ranging: coordinating an annual competition to increase awareness among high school students about STEM fields; working with New York state universities to ensure MCC curriculum meshes with their programs and meets their standards; and developing an event to bring together colleges, employers and prospective science, technology, engineering and mathematics students.
"Wadach's achievement in building a thriving engineering program at MCC impressed the judges, who noted his work to transform a traditional lab and lecture curriculum to one based on ‘design and build' pedagogy."