The Sandra C. Palmer Excellence in Teaching Award seeks to recognize colleagues, one full-time and one adjunct faculty member, who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments and outstanding qualities in teaching. Awardees will exemplify masterful, innovative classroom instruction, teaching methods, and excellence in educational leadership.
All full-time and adjunct faculty members with a primary appointment in the College who have not won this award in the past three (3) award cycles are eligible. Awardees will be recognized with a certificate of achievement from the Office of Academic Affairs presented at the Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony.
About The Sandra C. Palmer Excellence in Teaching Award
The Sandra C. Palmer Excellence in Teaching Award at Queensborough Community College (QCC) is named in honor of the college’s provost whose vision and commitment to teaching excellence inspired the creation of the award, Dr. Sandra Palmer.
Dr. Palmer joined the QCC family in 2015 as Dean of Faculty. As Dean, she immediately saw a need for junior faculty to be supported and established a series of mentoring activities to fill that gap. Dr. Palmer developed QCC’s guide to faculty mentoring and established faculty-led workshops focusing on the tenure/promotion process. Her goal was to demystify the tenure process while reassuring faculty that their work was valued. In addition to her role as Dean of Faculty, Dr. Palmer served as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs (2016-2017, 2018-2019) and, as interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2020 to 2023. Among her key accomplishments, Dr. Palmer provided and supported professional development opportunities for faculty, identified and pursued institutional and CUNY-wide grant opportunities for faculty, and developed new strategies to improve student success, particularly as it relates to college readiness.
An arduous leader and talented manager, Dr. Palmer has a passion for working with and supporting faculty in various academic initiatives. Having started her 30-year career as a faculty member, she was always mindful of the issues facing faculty. Throughout her tenure as Interim Provost, Dr. Palmer has consistently emphasized the importance of recognizing colleagues who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and outstanding qualities in teaching. As one of her final acts of innovation and change on behalf of the faculty of the college, Dr. Palmer convened a committee of faculty and administrators to establish a teaching excellence award that would celebrate and acknowledge faculty members who exemplify masterful and innovative classroom instruction and teaching methods and excellence in educational leadership.
In honor of her retirement from the college and in recognition of her impact on the institution, the Excellence in Teaching Award Committee named The Excellence in Teaching Award after Dr. Sandra Palmer.
The Award Committee:
- Professor Arthur Adair, Associate Professor and Faculty Fellow for Student Success (2021-2023), Academic Affairs
- Dr. Linda Bastone, Dean of Faculty
- Dr. Melissa Dennihy, Associate Professor, English
- Ms. Nishat Faruqui, Web Content Specialist, Strategic Initiatives and Advancement
- Dr. Sarbani Ghoshal, Associate Professor, Biology
- Professor Philip Nelan, Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Dr. Christi Saindon, Director, CETL, and Associate Professor of Communication, Theatre, & Media Production
- Dr. Kerri-Ann Smith, Committee Chairperson, Professor of English, and Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, Academic Affairs (2020-2024)
- Dr. Celia Sporer, Associate Professor, Social Sciences
Recommendation
To be considered, a faculty member must be recommended by a faculty member, administrator, staff member, or student. Self-recommendation is also accepted. Recommendations may be submitted via the electronic form below. Recommended faculty will be sent an email asking them to accept or decline the recommendation.
Recommendations must be submitted by January 30, 2026.
Application
To become a candidate, the faculty member must accept the recommendation. Then, they will receive instructions about submitting the application packet.
An application packet should include, at least, the following:
-A personal statement (maximum 2 pages), highlighting qualifications that address the criteria as outlined below.
-A biographical sketch (maximum 3 pages), highlighting a record that addresses the criteria as outlined below.
-Any other supporting documents (letters of support from peers or students, published works, assessment data, teaching portfolio, etc.).
Applications are due February 13, 2026
Evaluation
Evaluation is based on the proven quality and effectiveness of pedagogy conducted by the candidate over the past three (3) years. Candidates will be evaluated based on their ability to:
- Demonstrate outstanding contributions to education through:
- Student-centered Learning
- Evidence-based Teaching
- Iterative Assessment
- Leadership/Mentorship
- Reflective Practices/Professional Development
- Contribution to the Improvement of Teaching
- Demonstrate excellence in educational leadership through actively participating in learning, teaching or curriculum related committees, organizations, and associations.
Questions can be addressed to Linda Bastone, Dean of Faculty: linda.bastone@qcc.cuny.edu
