Leeward Community College Assistant Professor and Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator Daniela Elliot has received a national award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)—the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing over 1,000 institutions and almost 12 million students.
The Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition award is given to nominees who excel in their efforts to support students in and out of the classroom, show active participation in college committees, and whose passion drives them to go above and beyond what is required to ensure their student’s academic success.
Elliot received the award at the AACC 2023 conference in Denver, Colorado, in April, where she was joined by Leeward Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza and colleagues from other divisions on campus.
“I am so proud of Daniela, who has shown a commitment to representing Leeward internally and externally, to the benefit of our students and the college,” said Peñaloza.
Elliott has become known for her efforts to support students from the beginning of their enrollment, until they are ready to graduate, and beyond. Besides infusing her courses with valuable hands-on educational experiences, she was also able to transition seamlessly to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which earned her Leeward’s Excellence in Online Teaching Award in 2022.
Through her work, individually and serving on campus committees, Elliott has also been instrumental in several key initiatives on campus, including:
- Growth of Leeward CC’s collection of endemic and endangered Native Hawaiian plants—the largest in the University of Hawaiʻi System.
- Partnerships with Leeward’s Culinary Arts Program to teach students about using local ingredients for farm-to-table dishes.
- Helping Leeward CC become the first University of Hawaiʻi campus to reach Net Zero status.
After working at Leeward CC for nearly a decade, Elliott continues to grow and inspire those around her. She recently shared her knowledge at the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference, with a presentation about the opportunities within the UH System for students pursuing agricultural pathways, and she provides mentorship for her students and her peers.
From left, Joseph Schaeffer, president, Laramie County Community College, WY, Daniela Elliott, Leeward CC assistant professor, Walter G. Bumphus, AACC president and CEO.
