Bristol Community College Faculty Member Adrienne Foster Scharf awarded Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award by the American Association of Community CollegesPage Title

Bristol Community College Faculty Member Adrienne Foster Scharf, Ph.D., is a recipient of a 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The prestigious award will be presented on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The Dale P. Parnell Faculty Award distinguishes faculty who not only exemplify excellence in an academic setting but who also work outside the classroom to help their students achieve success. Since the program began in 2018, AACC has recognized more than 185 faculty members from across the United States.

Dr. Adrienne Foster Scharf, is the Program Chair of Bristol’s Life Sciences: Biotechnology and Forensic DNA program. In addition to her work in the classroom, she mentors undergraduate research students, preparing them to transfer to baccalaureate degree programs and for success within their field. She also chairs the college’s STEM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, leading initiatives to increase the STEM identity of traditionally underrepresented students. In addition, Dr. Foster Scharf serves as co-chair for one of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) standards of accreditation, Standard Four: The Academic Program.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in laboratory animal science from North Carolina A&T State University and a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Purdue University. The criteria for the prestigious Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award include demonstrating a passion for students in the classroom, willingness to support students inside and outside of the classroom, participation in college committees, and going above and beyond to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors. The recognition is named for former AACC President Dale P. Parnell, who was instrumental in establishing many of the foundational concepts for today’s community colleges.

To view the full list of the 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award recipients, including Bristol Faculty Member Adrienne Foster-Scharf, please visit www.aacc.nche.edu.

Bristol Community College (Bristol) has core values rooted in student success and lifelong learning. For more than 50 years, Bristol has served as a leading resource for education and workforce development in the region including locations in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Online.

The college offers more than 130 career and transfer programs, along with flexible online offerings that lead to an associate degree, a career-ready certificate, or the ability to transfer to baccalaureate colleges throughout the state and country. Bristol’s Business Solutions & Partnerships provides customized training for businesses and the community. Bristol's National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) is a state-of-the-art training facility, offering globally recognized training and certifications for the emerging offshore wind industry. The college also strives to put the needs of learners first with support services and career advancement opportunities that lead to student success by reducing barriers to educational access.

The college is one of the largest employers in the region and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment with a rich diversity of beliefs, cultures, languages, abilities and lifestyles. Bristol is a public community college accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

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