Tri-C's Excellence in Teaching Awards Honor Faculty Who Went Above and Beyond
Besse Award winners recognized during Fall Convocation at Metro Campus
CLEVELAND — For their dedication to student success, four full-time and four adjunct Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) faculty members were recently honored with the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award in Honor of Ralph M. Besse.
Three other faculty members were recognized during Fall Convocation at the Metropolitan Campus.
Besse was a Cleveland community leader and champion of higher education who was instrumental in founding Tri-C.
Winners demonstrate a commitment to promoting academic quality, stimulating intellectual development and investing in students within and beyond the classroom. Recipients are initially nominated by students and become finalists for the award with at least one nomination from a faculty or staff member.
Awards were presented to:
Excellence in Teaching Award in Honor of Ralph M. Besse
Full-Time Faculty:
- Hayley McGuirk, Assistant Professor, Art, Metropolitan Campus
- Matthew Phillips, Associate Professor, History, Metropolitan Campus
- Michael Piero, Professor, English, Westshore Campus
- Anne Marie Yunker, Associate Professor, Biology, Metropolitan Campus
Adjunct Faculty/Lecturer Winners:
- Timothy Davis, Adjunct Faculty, Business Administration, Western Campus (advanced to assistant professor beginning Fall 2026)
- Matt Osolinski, Adjunct Faculty, Biology, Western Campus
- Dionna Stewart, Lecturer, Psychology, Metropolitan Campus
- Tasha Wilburn, Lecturer, Business Administration, Metropolitan Campus (advanced to assistant professor beginning Fall 2026)
Faculty Leadership in Sustainability Award
- Vicky Bonillas, Assistant Professor, English, Westshore Campus
AAUP Meaning Award
- Jessica McLaughlin, Professor, Psychology, Metropolitan Campus
AAUP Authenticity Award
- Meagan Fowler, Associate Professor, Library, Metropolitan Campus
The Besse Award has been presented annually by the College since 1980. Learn more on the Tri-C website.
August 19, 2026
By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu