Faculty Excellence Program

Faculty Excellence Program

Status: Active

Geographic Scope: Green River College (Auburn, WA, US)

Purpose: A cornerstone initiative of the Green River College Foundation, dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in teaching. Through this program, faculty members are empowered to develop and implement creative projects that enhance student learning and enrich the academic experience.

Funding

• Funding Body: Green River College Foundation
• Total Funding Available: Up to $68,000 for 2025-2026
• Project Completion Deadline: December 2026

Eligibility

• Full-time faculty
• IESL (Intensive English as Second Language) faculty
• Adjunct faculty (in the temporary employment file)

Project Types

• Individual faculty projects
• Cross-disciplinary collaborative projects
• Projects that support instructional innovation
• Projects that support student engagement
• Projects focusing on curriculum development

Focus Areas (Examples of Past Projects)

• Improvements in Math and English assessments
• Additions to Spanish, ELL, CCP curriculum development
• Global education initiatives (Global Talk Series speakers)
• Equipment acquisitions (Japanese Gamelan Drums for Music Department)
• Innovative student learning projects (Green River Honeybee Colonies)

Key Dates

• October: Annual Call for Proposals issued
• Early November: Application deadline (November 5, 2025 at 4 PM PST per content, but this is past. Note: Content shows 2025-26 cycle with November 5, 2025 deadline)
• December: Applications reviewed by committee
• Prior to December 30: Applicants notified of awards
• By December 2026: All projects must be completed

Post-Award Requirements

• Faculty must submit final reports to Monica Tolas in the Foundation office
• Final reports reviewed by committee for approval
• PEN forms processed after approval

2025-2026 Review Committee

Faculty Members:
• Physics - Anthony Smith
• Mechatronics - William Sciacca
• International Programs - Timothy McDaniel
• English - Jaeney Hoene
• Business and Law Department - Taliesha Garrett

Administrators:

Christie Gilliland - Dean of Instruction

Lea Ann Simpson - Dean of Trades, Business & Law

Foundation Board Members:

Dave Pouliot

Bruce deJong

Administrative Support

• Deans should review and provide feedback on applications from their departments prior to submission
• Applicants must obtain documented dean approval before submitting to Foundation
• Contact: Monica Tolas at mtolas@greenriver.edu