Dr. Tyler Olivier nominated for the Minnie Piper Professor Award
PASADENA, Texas — San Jacinto College announced its 2024 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee and the Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards recipients.
Dr. Tyler Olivier, San Jacinto College Generation Park STEM department chair, is the College’s 2024 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee. Olivier has been teaching at San Jac for eight years, with nine years’ experience at the collegiate level.
“Dr. Olivier is a proven Biology professor who has effectively engaged a variety of students ranging from majors, non-majors, dual credit, and Honors students at San Jacinto College, said Dr. Lamar McWaine, dean, strategic initiatives. “He creates innovative programs that expose students to learning outside of the classroom, such as his service-learning project in conjunction with Sheldon Lake State Park, in which more than 150 students have participated in coastal wetland and prairie restoration projects.”
Olivier has lent his expertise to a variety of committees, including the Biomanufacturing Advisory Committee, STEM Council, Service-learning Council, Honors Council, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as the Generation Park Campus advisor.
Since 1958, The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation has recognized outstanding professors from two- and four-year Texas colleges and universities, both public and private. As a non-profit, charitable corporation, one of its biggest programs is the Piper Professor Program. Ten awards of $5,000 are distributed annually to college professors for superior teaching based on submissions by each college or university.
San Jacinto College Faculty Excellence Award recipients include Elizabeth McKinley, accounting/general business, South; Diana Perez, cosmetology, South; Richard Garcia, maritime transportation, Maritime; Sheina Farooqui, occupational therapist assistant, South; and Cheryl Mott, college preparatory mathematics, Central.
Staff Excellence Award recipients include Earle Thomas, manager, financial aid/application process, District; Imelda Rodriguez, coordinator/resource specialist, Central; Genoveva (Veva) Garcia, manager, campus business offices, Central; and Goldie Tabor, coordinator, division operations, South.
The Administrator Excellence Award went to Joanna Zimmermann, associate vice chancellor student services, District; and Scott Hairston, director, grants development, District.
“At San Jacinto College, our faculty and staff stand out as pioneers in higher education – they foster an environment of excellence and ensure the success of our students,” said Laurel Williamson, deputy chancellor and president. “The Excellence Award recipients exemplify the remarkable talent, dynamic energy, and unwavering dedication essential in guiding students towards a brighter future.”
Criteria for the College’s Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards nominations include addressing the nominee’s last two years of work and service in the following areas: ability to serve as a role model and work collaboratively with others; possessions of exemplary attributes or qualifications; contributions to addressing or meeting the needs of our students and/or our employees; and dedications, service, and involvement in the College community.
