FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Seven professors have become the latest to join the ranks of Broward College’s Endowed Teaching Chairs, the highest academic award bestowed by the College to a faculty member for their excellence in the classroom.

The honorees were surprised with the news in their classrooms by several members of the senior leadership team, including President and CEO Torey Alston; Dr. Jamonica Rolle, Interim College Provost and Senior Vice President; and Terry Mularkey, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and CEO, Broward College Foundation.

“This is a well-deserved award for talented faculty members who are passionate about teaching and are helping to fulfill the vision of Broward College being the #1 destination for academic excellence,” Alston said.

Established in 1989, the Endowed Teaching Chair program honors 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.

“We value the support of our community partners, who recognize that supporting Broward College represents an investment in the South Florida workforce,” Mularkey said.

Each Endowed Teaching Chair recipient receives a one-year grant of $13,500, comprising a $10,000 stipend and $3,500 for professional development and classroom improvement projects.

2026-2027 Endowed Teaching Chair recipients

Dr. Janne Nielsen, an Associate Professor of Biological Science at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus, received the Jan R. Cummings Endowed Teaching Chair in Critical Thinking. Nielsen is a highly accomplished evolutionary biologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Miami and a strong commitment to continuous professional growth. She has been serving as a full-time professor for the South Science and Wellness Department for the past eight and a half years, and prior to that she was an Adjunct Professor for three years. She actively engages in evidence-based teaching development through ACUE, CTEL, and ongoing reviews of peer-reviewed literature. She has organized major Science events at South Campus, including the annual South Campus Science Poster Symposium, which she founded in 2023 to provide students with authentic research presentation experience

Dr. Kieron Prince, an Associate Professor of Physical Science at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, received the Waste Management, Inc. - Florida Endowed Teaching Chair. With nearly six years of dedicated service to the College, he holds a M.S. degree in Geology and a Ph.D. in Geosciences. Dr. Prince is widely regarded as a forward-thinking educator who consistently integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance his teaching pedagogy and transform the learning experience. Beyond the classroom, he is a dedicated institutional leader and active contributor to college initiatives. His commitment to student mentorship, academic innovation, and collaborative leadership continues to inspire both students and colleagues, solidifying his impact across the academic community.

Professor Sandra Cherfrere, an Associate Professor at the Institute of Public Safety at Central Campus, received the Bank of America II Endowed Teaching Chair. Cherfrere demonstrates exceptional institutional leadership through her service on hiring committees for faculty and academic deans as well as both the Health, Safety, and Security Committee and the College's AI Action Team. Serving as Faculty Advisor for multiple organizations, she actively fosters student leadership and community impact. She regularly invites criminal justice professionals into the classroom to engage with students, strengthening connections between academic learning and professional practice. In spring 2024, she received the Outstanding Professor in Public Safety Pathway Award for effectively aligning real-life experiences with course competencies and student learning outcomes.

Dr. David Perdian, a Professor of Chemistry at Central Campus, received the William D. Horvitz Endowed Teaching Chair. Dr. Perdian has built a record with more than 15 years of distinguished service and a sustained record of excellence in teaching, leadership, and innovation. Currently teaching at BC Online, he is recognized for his student-centered, evidence-based instructional approach and his commitment to delivering rigorous, engaging learning experiences across modalities. He has received numerous honors for his teaching, including two Professor of the Year awards and two Endowed Teaching Chair recognitions, reflecting his consistent impact on student success and instructional excellence.

Dr. Scott Demsky, a Senior Professor of Mathematics at Central Campus, received the AT&T Endowed Teaching Chair. Dr. Demsky has been with the College since 2012. He earned his D.Arts in Mathematics from the University of Miami, and his M.S. in Mathematics from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to his academic career, he spent 25 years at IBM, working as a Software Development Programmer, Instructor, and Manager. After retiring from IBM, he transitioned to higher education and is committed to improving student success through continuous course revision, learning and teaching new courses, and integrating effective online tools into his instruction. He emphasizes the development of strong critical thinking skills, helping students become confident and independent problem solvers.

Dr. Rebecca Clark, an Associate Professor of Physical Science at Central Campus, received the Cleveland Clinic Florida Endowed Teaching Chair. Dr. Clark has been with the College for nearly nine years and holds both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Geosciences. She is widely recognized as an innovative and visionary educator. She is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom, using diverse modalities to enhance learning and engagement. Beyond the classroom, she is a dedicated institutional leader, contributing to numerous committees and advancing shared governance. She is also deeply committed to undergraduate research, and mentoring students to present at academic symposiums.

Dr. Raz Ben-Ezzer, an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Central Campus, received the Blockbuster Entertainment Endowed Teaching Chair. He has more than 35 years of higher education experience, along with a M.S. and Ph.D. in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Before entering academia, Dr. Ben-Ezzer was a professional musician, producer, and recording engineer who collaborated with Grammy Award-winning artists. As a band member and producer of Pollyanna Frank, he recorded and produced the group's acclaimed album No Choosing before pivoting his career toward computer science and digital media. At Broward College, he designed the complete curriculum for both the Immersive Technologies and Web Development specializations from the ground up.

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