CAROL ABOHATAB WINS DISTINGUISHED ASSOCIATE FACULTY AWARD AT SJCC

By Nirali Patel, SJCC Psychology Faculty

Colleagues, join me (us, really) in congratulating our AFT 6157 associate faculty rep at SJCC, Carol Abohatab, for winning the Distinguished Employee Award at City College.

This award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence on campus by creating a supportive environment that is inclusive and respectful of cultural and racial diversity.  The employee’s contributions to the college and/or district community must move the college towards achieving the district goals of opportunity, equity, and social justice.
This amazing accomplishment is just the latest step in Carol’s journey as a faculty member and a union leader.  Carol has the ability to search for solutions to problems and find innovative ways to improve the lives of our students and fellow faculty.  In addition to teaching, Carol continues to fight for part-time health care.  Carol plays an active part in campus initiatives and union bargaining to help support other associate faculty.

Winning this award reflects the many years of work and dedication to SJCC Carol has shown.  But here’s something you may not know: Carol was also nominated for Faculty of the Year at EVC this year!  She is clearly being recognized by her colleagues.

Here is what some of her colleagues and students have said about her:

Dance Faculty Amber McCall: “I have worked with Carol for 16 years and she’s always looking for ways to better support her students. Carol is a passionate faculty member who advocates for both her students and her fellow faculty members.”

Dance Student Jacky Thai: “I’ve known Carol since high school when I had her as an instructor for Dance Appreciation in the dual enrollment program. She is one of the most passionate and enthusiastic people I know. She never fails to bring the joy of learning, whether it’s in the classroom or dance studio.  I appreciate her both as an instructor at SJCC and also as a wonderful and compassionate person.”

EVC Senate President Garry Johnson: “Carol was nominated as Associate Faculty of the Year by her peers at EVC.  She was nominated for her ongoing advocacy work for health care benefits for her associate faculty colleagues throughout the district.  The nomination referenced her attendance at several BOT meetings where she has used public comments to speak in favor of full health benefits for associate faculty.  She has also presented at Senate meetings and other shared governance committees.  Her work is tireless and because of her, we now have an MOU from the district to provide the beginnings of full coverage.  Congratulations and much gratitude for your hard work!”

Milpitas Extension Director Michael Mooney: “Carol excels at teaching dance appreciation!  She connects well with the high school students while maintaining high standards for her classes.  Students from past semesters always stop by to see her—a true testament to her skills!  She makes our dual enrollment program better by being a part of it.”

CFT Campaign Coordinator Chase Golding: “I am so thrilled to hear Carol was named distinguished associate faculty at SJCC, and was nominated for (and nearly won!) the same award at EVC.  This award is well deserved; from the outset of the CFT statewide campaign to win healthcare for PT faculty, Carol (and AFT 6157) has been a mainstay of our efforts, anchoring her entire district in this fight.  From letter campaigns to assembly and senate subcommittee testimonies to organizing for events in support of PT health care, she volunteered and vigoursly advocated for PT health care.  Congrats Carol!”

On behalf of all of us, congratulations Carol, on this well-deserved honor!!