FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Six Broward College professors were named 2025-2026 Endowed Teaching Chairs This is the highest academic award bestowed by Broward College to a faculty member for their excellence in the classroom.

These exceptional faculty members were surprised with the news in their classrooms by Broward College President and CEO Torey Alston; Dr. Jamonica Rolle, Interim College Provost and Senior Vice President; Ashley Shepple, Corporate Gifts Officer; and Michelle Levine, Associate Vice President, Center for Teaching Excellence & Learning.

“We are thrilled to recognize these exceptional educators,” said Alston. “Their commitment to student success and innovative teaching practices reflect the high standards of Broward College and help position our institution as the number one destination for academic excellence.”

Established in 1989, the Endowed Teaching Chair program aims to honor outstanding faculty members, with the goal of at least 10% of the College’s original faculty achieving this status. Thanks to the generous support of donors, the Broward College Foundation now offers 37 Endowed Teaching Chair Awards. Since the first awards in 1992, more than 240 Endowed Teaching Chairs have been awarded to more than 180 different professors.

“We deeply value the support of our donors and community partners,” said Dr. Rolle. “Their commitment strengthens our academic mission and provides our faculty with the resources to elevate student learning across the College.”

Each Endowed Teaching Chair recipient receives a one-year grant of $13,500, comprising an $8,500 honorarium and $5,000 for professional development and classroom improvement projects.

The 2025-2026 Endowed Teaching Chair recipients are:

 Dr. Kevin Cole, Associate Professor of Art History in the Visual and Performing Arts Department, received the Rotary Clubs Endowed Teaching Chair. With nearly two decades in higher education, Dr. Cole holds a Ph.D. in Art and Architectural History. He has presented research at prestigious conferences and played a central role in securing full membership in the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for Broward’s Visual Arts programs. Dr. Cole is also known for his public lectures at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

Dr. John Donovan, Associate Professor of History at the North Campus, received the Stephen C. Barker Endowed Teaching Chair. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, Dr. Donovan is known for his passionate and student-centered approach to making history come alive. He blends music, media, storytelling, and discussion to create immersive learning experiences. He also integrates technologies like AI, augmented reality, and mobile-based applications to deepen student learning. Dr. Donovan fosters open dialogue by inviting students to share their perspectives, creating an environment where meaningful conversations lead to personal and intellectual growth. He has been recognized with multiple teaching awards and actively mentors students beyond graduation.

Andrew Dutka, Assistant Professor and Faculty Librarian at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, received the A. Hugh Adams Endowed Teaching Chair. Serving since 2004, Dutka developed and leads the Broward College Archives and Special Collections. He has spearheaded digitization efforts in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America, enhancing access to historical resources. His teaching focuses on building essential academic skills through research and critical thinking, particularly supporting multilingual learners. Dutka emphasizes the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and confidence in learning, saying, “My goal is to connect students to the research process and build relationships that support discovery.”

Dr. Vanessa Hörmann, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, received the Motorola, Inc. Endowed Teaching Chair. Since 2006, Dr. Hörmann has brought passion and innovation to her teaching, utilizing active learning strategies and emerging technologies like Labster and AI platforms. Her teaching philosophy centers on accessibility, engagement, and critical thinking. She designs welcoming learning environments that support a wide range of learners across multiple modalities, including in-person, blended, online, and flexible learning. She co-authored lab manuals for Biology and Anatomy, helped develop zero-cost textbook courses, and maintains a course success rate above 80%. In 2024, she received a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Faculty Innovation Research Award.

Dr. Isis Silva, Senior Professor of Education at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus, received the Sheldon J. Schlesinger, P.A. Endowed Teaching Chair. Since joining Broward College in 2009, Dr. Silva has emphasized high expectations and equity in her teaching. She began her career teaching elementary students in Miami-Dade County and holds a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Reading from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Silva integrates technology, service learning, and global perspectives into her courses and co-authored the textbook Teach to Touch Lives, used in EDF1005 courses at Broward College.

Chad Virtanen, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, received the Second Generation Community Leaders Endowed Teaching Chair. With a decade of service at Broward College, Virtanen holds credentials in Biblical Hebrew and the philosophy of religion from Knox Theological Seminary and Harvard University, along with multiple certifications from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). He is known for integrating technologies like AI and augmented reality into his humanities courses, fostering engaging, student-centered discussions on religion, ethics, and culture. Beyond the classroom, he has served as a program coordinator, equity committee co-chair, and BCEx facilitator.

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ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE: Serving more than 51,000 students annually, Broward College provides students with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees, and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The College’s mission is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to our community of learners. Together, we are working to make Broward College the number one destination for academic excellence. Please visit www.broward.edu for more information.

ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE FOUNDATION: Established in 1971, the Broward College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the officially designated means of making private, charitable contributions to Broward College. Our purpose is to change lives through education by providing community awareness, advocacy and funding to the college. For more information, visit www.browardcollegefoundation.org.