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Seven Broward College professors were named 2024-2025 Endowed Teaching Chairs, the academic award bestowed by Broward College to a faculty member for their excellence in the classroom. The endowed teaching chairs are:
- Dr. Lilian Muniz Alvarez;
- Rosena Beniste;
- Dr. Savena Budhu-Barajas;
- Dina Durand
- Marjetta Geerling;
- Joshua Kimber; and
- Dr. Cathileen Montesarchio
*Their information is below.
These exceptional faculty members were surprised by the news in their classrooms by Interim Broward College President Dr. Donald Astrab; Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jeffery Nasse; Vice President for Advancement and Chief Development Officer for the Broward College Foundation Megan Cottle; and Chair of the Broward College Foundation Endowed Teaching Chair Selection Committee Dr. Stanley Marks.
“We congratulate our newest Endowed Teaching Chairs,” said President Astrab. “Their dedication to teaching excellence and their commitment to our students is what makes Broward College a leader in higher education in our community.”
The Endowed Teaching Chair awards were launched in 1989 with a goal of providing the opportunity for at least 10% of the College’s original faculty to achieve this status in recognition of their outstanding efforts in the classroom. With the support of philanthropic individuals, businesses, foundations, and city organizations, the Broward College Foundation now has 36 Endowed Teaching Chair Awards.
In 1990, the Broward College Foundation, as it is now known, was the nation’s first community college foundation to complete an endowed teaching chairs campaign. The first Endowed Teaching Chair award recipients were named in 1992. To date, 246 Endowed Teaching Chairs have been awarded to 185 different Broward College professors.
“We sincerely thank our donors, sponsors, and community partners for their commitment to excellence in education by investing in Broward College,” said Cottle. “Our Endowed Teaching Chair program enables professors to obtain the instructional tools they need to give students the best possible education.”
All seven of this year’s Endowed Teaching Chairs receive a one-year grant of $13,500, which includes an $8,500 honorarium and $5,000 for professional development and projects to improve classroom excellence and efficiency.
“I was personally touched by the meaning of all these awards and each recipient’s commitment to excellence in education and to the students of Broward College,” said Dr. Marks. “Each is an inspiration to The Broward College Foundation, the College and most importantly our students!”
The 2023-2024 Endowed Teaching Chair recipients:
Dr. Lilian Muniz Alvarez, associate professor, Mathematics at the Broward College South Campus, received the Southeast Banking Corporation Foundation Endowed Teaching Chair. A professor at Broward College for eight years, Dr. Muniz Alvarez participates in Broward College activities such as Pi Day, Math Awareness Week, and BC Cares, which organizes volunteer opportunities for Broward College faculty and staff to give back to the community. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics from Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, France, and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, both from the University of Havana in Cuba.
Professor Rosena Beniste, associate professor, Communication at the Broward College Central Campus, received the Dr. Wanda E. Thomas Endowed Teaching Chair. Fluent in both English and Haitian Creole, Dr. Beniste has taught at Broward College for 10 years. As the Learning Community Co-Coordinator since September 2022, Dr. Beniste has significantly enhanced the educational experience on campus. She is the chair of BC Talks, an initiative she created in Spring 2017 to promote public speaking among students. She also has been a member of the College Read Advisory Board since 2016 and participated in the Seahawk Summer Academy’s Faculty Colloquium from 2018- 2023. A lifelong learner, she’s earned five certificates and microcredentials from The Association of College and University Educators. Dr. Beniste holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Science in Mass Communication from Florida International University.
Dr. Savena Budhu-Barajas, associate professor, English at Broward College’s Central Campus, received the Margaret and Cato Roach Endowed Teaching Chair. A 19-year veteran of Broward College, she previously won the Children’s Opportunity Group Endowed Teaching Chair in 2019-2020 and was chosen as the Central Campus’ Professor of the Year in 2012. To make composition and literature approachable, she themes many classes around popular culture, including contemporary movies and classic fairy tales. Dr. Budhu-Barajas also completed the Certificate in Effective College Instruction from The Association of College and University Educators last year. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Studies from Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated summa cum laude in English.
Professor Dina Durand, assistant professor, Business Administration at the Broward College North Campus, received the Gene A. Whiddon Endowed Teaching Chair. Professor Durand was previously named a Professor of the Year and an Endowed Teaching Chair and received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Bachelor of Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. She also has Six Sigma Black Belt, Dale Carnegie, and Entrepreneurial Mindset certifications.
Professor Marjetta Geerling, associate professor, English at the Broward College Central Campus, received the International Education Endowed Teaching Chair. A professor at Broward College for 13 years, Professor Geerling was previously recognized as Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2011-12 and a Full-Time Professor of the Year in 2015-16. She is the co-coordinator of learning communities for Broward College and chief negotiator for the College’s chapter of the United Faculty of Florida. Last fall, she became the permanent advisor for P’an Ku, Broward College’s award-winning literary and arts magazine, this year celebrating its 60th anniversary. She has a Master of Fine Arts with a specialization in Writing for Children from Spalding University.
Professor Joshua Kimber, assistant professor, Philosophy at the Broward College Central Campus, received the Truist Financial Corporation Endowed Teaching Chair. A faculty member at Broward College for 16 years, Professor Kimber is a 2021-2022 Professor of the Year. He is a member of the College Assessment Team for Student Success and the Quality Enhancement Plans Committees, the Philosophy Club’s faculty advisor, and a Professional Enhancement Program mentor. Professor Kimber integrates co-curricular activities including student clubs, theater productions, and gallery presentations into his teaching. He holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, both from Boston College.
Dr. Cathileen Montesarchio, associate professor, Business Administration at the Broward College Central Campus, received the Causeway Lumber Company Endowed Teaching Chair. As the Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate Division faculty advisor, she connects students to outreach initiatives from financial literacy seminars at organizations including the Boys and Girls Club in Pompano Beach and Swab a Cheek, Safe a Life, which finds potential blood cancer donors. Dr. Montesarchio earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership from Lynn University and a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting, both from Nova Southeastern University.
For additional information about Broward College and its outstanding faculty, visit www.broward.edu.
ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE:
Serving approximately 56,000 students annually, Broward College provides residents with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees, and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The mission of the College is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners. For more information, visit www.broward.edu.
ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE FOUNDATION:
Established in 1971, the Broward College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the officially designated means of making private, charitable contributions to Broward College. Our purpose is to change lives through education by providing community awareness, advocacy and funding to the college. For more information, visit www.browardcollegefoundation.org.
