Faculty Awards
Teaching Excellence Award
2024-2025 Recipient: Matthew Davis
Sponsored by the Cuesta College Foundation, the Teaching Excellence Award recognizes faculty who show leadership in course organization and presentation while also keeping current with educational methodology. The recipient also demonstrates distinguished job performance and excellence in service beyond normal job expectations.
The recipient must be a current, tenured or temporary full-time or part-time instructor who has taught at Cuesta College for a minimum of five years, and has fulfilled at least three full-time equivalent years.
Nominations are solicited from faculty in the Spring semester and the Award is presented to the recipient on Opening Day of the Fall Semester.
Peter and M'May Diffley Award for Faculty Excellence
2024 Recipient: Silvio Favoreto
This award was established by Peter Diffley in honor of his wife, M'May Diffley, and recognizes a full-time or part-time faculty member, not only for his or her excellence in teaching, but also for one or more of the following:
- Community and/or campus activism
- Involvement in environmental or ecological projects
- Involvement in the arts
- Special motivation to science students
Nominations are solicited from faculty in the Fall semester, and the Award is presented to the recipient on Opening Day of the Spring Semester.
Virginia Sullivan Award
2017 Recipient: Cheryl Ziehl
This memorial endowment was established by Cuesta College Emeritus Jack Sullivan in
the name of his late mother, Virginia Sullivan, who served as a model of inspiration
and encouragement to colleagues. Established as an endowment fund by the Foundation
Board of Directors, the focus of this award is on the fostering and/or exhibition
of characteristics supporting the growth and overall well-being of faculty colleagues.
Its purpose is to recognize dynamic, motivating, and nurturing faculty who create
a positive work environment through acts which support morale, provide expertise and
mentoring, and/or contribute to the mental health of colleagues. Nominee must be a
current, regular (tenured) or temporary full-time or part-time faculty at Cuesta College.
Nominations are solicited from faculty in the Fall semester, and the Award is presented
to the recipient on Opening Day of the Spring Semester.
Outstanding Academic Employee
2024-2025 Recipient: Beth Ann Dumas
The President of the College selects a recipient from among faculty nominations. All full-time academic staff with four or more years or service, or part-time temporary academic staff with eight or more years of service, are eligible to be nominated for the honor.
