Cerritos College Psychology Professor Earns Prestigious Western Psychological Association Award

Printer-friendly version

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2017

Media Contact: Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 653-7878 

Photo by Shari Young Kuchenbecker

NORWALK, Calif. – May 5, 2017 – Cerritos College’s Psychology Professor Dr. Kimberley Duff received the Western Psychological Association’s 2017 Outstanding Teaching Award.  Duff was selected for the high quality of her psychology instruction. Duff was presented the award at WPA’s 97th Annual Convention in April.

The WPA Outstanding Teaching Award is given to a senior-level WPA member (minimum of 10 years in the field) who has demonstrated leadership in teaching and mentoring.  Such evidence can come in the form of publications on teaching, grant awards for teaching, teaching awards from one’s campus or other regional, national, or international associations, and demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and mentoring of students.

A graduate of community college and immigrant to the United States, Duff has served as a mentor to her students, a majority of whom are first generation college students. She developed Mentoring through Alumni in Psychology (MAP) through the Cerritos College website that showcases student accomplishments, research, former student biographies and professional resources for current students.

Duff has won numerous awards, including the Cerritos College Outstanding Faculty Award, Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year, the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award sponsored by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, and American Psychological Association's 2014 Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at a Two-Year College or Campus Award.

Duff has been innovative in developing online resources to facilitate student learning and engagement, including online simulation activities to accompany an introductory psychology textbook. She is author of Think Social Psychology published by Pearson Education.

“We are very proud of Dr. Duff who is an exceptional teacher, leader, and mentor to our students,” congratulated Instructional Dean of Business Education and Humanities/Social Sciences Rachel Mason. “She has made and will continue to make a tremendous difference in many students’ lives.”

 

About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

 

-END-