WASHINGTON — A Norwalk, California, community college psychology professor is the winner of the American Psychological Association’s 2014 Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at a Two-Year College or Campus Award. Kimberley Duff, PhD, a psychology professor at Cerritos College, was selected for the high quality of her psychology instruction by the APA Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges (PT@CC) Teaching Awards Committee. Duff was presented the award Aug. 9 at APA’s 122nd Annual Convention.
“Kimberley exemplifies all of the attributes we strive for as community college instructors,” said Kathryn Clancy, MA, chair of the PT@CC Teaching Awards Committee. “Her tireless commitment and dedication to learning in the classroom, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentoring her students demonstrate why Kimberley deserves this award and our admiration.”
A graduate of community college and immigrant to the U.S., Duff has acted as a mentor to her students, a majority of whom are first-generation college students. She developed the website “Mentoring through Alumni in Psychologyopens in new window” (MAP), which showcases student accomplishments, research, former student biographies and professional resources for current students. She also goes above and beyond required duties by supervising undergraduate students in outside-of-the-classroom research projects every semester, according to the award citation. Duff has won numerous awards, including the Cerritos Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year and the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award sponsored by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (APA Div. 2).
Duff has developed online resources to facilitate student learning and engagement, including online simulation activities to accompany an introductory psychology textbook. She is author of the textbook “Think Social Psychology” published by Pearson Education.
Duff received $1,000, a plaque from APA and a one-year APA community college teacher affiliate membership renewal.
Nominees submitted a detailed letter describing their commitment to excellence in teaching at a two-year institution, three recommendation letters and curriculum vitae. All nominees must be members of PT@CC and may nominate themselves or be nominated by their peers.
The APA PT@CC was established in 2002 as a network to represent and support psychology teachers within the two-year college community. Psychology teachers at community colleges can join APA as a community college teacher affiliate by visiting the APA website. PT@CC offers teaching resources, professional development, leadership and networking opportunities. Learn more about PT@CC.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes nearly 130,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.