Pictured L-R: Vee Strauss, VC Foundation Board President, and Dr. Janelle Espinoza, 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award Winner
Victoria College instructor Dr. Janelle Espinoza has been named the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest honor presented to faculty by the Victoria College Foundation.
Espinoza, who serves as VC’s Department Chair of Science and Associate Professor of Biology, joined the college in 2020.
The Distinguished Teaching Award honors excellence in the classroom, promotes effective teaching, and recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student learning. Espinoza was nominated by her fellow faculty members for the award.
“I am so grateful to have colleagues who value my work and took the time to nominate me for the Distinguished Teaching Award,” said Espinoza. “I am humbled that the Distinguished Teaching Award Committee selected me as the recipient. Honestly, it feels a little like cheating to be recognized for doing my favorite part of my job, and I want to thank the VC Foundation for honoring me with this generous award.”
Espinoza was recently recognized at VC’s Fall Convocation, where she received a $1,500 award and a medal from the VC Foundation.