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MCC Daily Tribune

Richard Costanza Named AACC 2026 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty

Professor Richard Costanza, Associate Professor and Chair of Education and Human Services, has been named an American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) 2026 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty honoree.

This award recognizes faculty who go above and beyond in supporting students both within and beyond the classroom.

Professor Costanza exemplifies a deep commitment to teaching and learning, consistently championing student success through the development and implementation of equity-driven, student-centered pedagogy. Some of his note-worthy initiatives include the introduction of structured note-taking strategies; collaboration with our instructional design team to redesign the curriculum around application and industry credentials, integrating emerging topics such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; and the use of guest speakers to further enrich the classroom, connecting students with workforce outcomes and community partners.

Professor Costanza’s impact reaches well beyond the classroom, shaping programs and initiatives that strengthen both student opportunity and institutional success. He was a driving force behind the launch of the College’s Monroe County Educators’ Resource Center and guided a major redesign of the Human Services curriculum, aligning programs with workforce needs and ensuring stronger preparation for graduates. These contributions directly align with MCC’s strategic commitment to student equity and workforce readiness.

In addition, Professor Costanza has served prominently on College-wide committees and initiatives. His leadership on grants has expanded opportunities for students, reduced equity gaps, and created mentoring networks that support the recruitment and retention of future teachers.

Professor Costanza will be recognized at the AACC conference in April 2026 during a reception honoring Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty.

Congratulations to Professor Costanza on this well-deserved honor!

Michael Jacobs
Academic and Student Affairs
02/02/2026