Dr. Celucien Joseph nominated by San Jacinto College for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award
Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards announced
Pasadena, Texas – San Jacinto College announced its 2025 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee and the Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards recipients.
Dr. Celucien Joseph, San Jacinto College Central Campus English department chair, is the College’s 2024-25 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee. Joseph has been teaching at San Jac for two years, with 20 years’ experience at the collegiate level.
“Dr. Joseph joined San Jacinto College with a vision to enhance the academic experience for both students and faculty and has made significant contributions,” said Van Wigginton, Central Campus provost. “One of his most noteworthy achievements is the creation of a new Technical Writing 1302 course specifically tailored for students in our Process Technology program. The course does not merely fulfill the curriculum requirements but significantly enriches the students' learning experience by integrating practical applications relevant to their field of study and creates a classroom experience that aligns with real-world industry requirements.”
Joseph has lent his expertise to a variety of committees and student organizations, including the San Jac Online academic support services work group; Mosaic, which supports San Jac students through mentorship; and Accents: The Student Literary Magazine.
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 Dr. Albert Talley, department chair, bachelor of education; Dr. Nicole Bradley, biotechnology; Amber Tyler, welding technology; and Estrellita Coronado, pharmacy technician.
Staff Excellence Award recipients include Hollis Auzenne, senior administrative assistant, dean of instructional services office; Maria Dabrowski, advisor, campus financial aid service; Natalia Mendez, advisor, campus financial aid service; and Jeanie Wright, coordinator, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
The Administrator Excellence Award went to Shelley Rinehart, assistant vice chancellor, instructional and support program efficacy; and Rezaur Rahman, director of sustainability/energy management, facilities energy management.
“San Jacinto College is proud to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and administrator Excellence Award recipients,” said Dr. Laurel Williamson, deputy chancellor and College president. “These individuals embody the values and mission of our institution, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication to our students, colleagues, and community. Their ability to inspire, innovate, and collaborate reflects the highest standards of excellence, and their contributions have had a profound impact on the success and well-being of our College.”
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.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s, and Aa2 by Moody’s.
For more information about San Jacinto College visit sanjac.edu.
