CCAC Professor Receives Distinguished Faculty Recognition from American Association of Community Colleges

Dr. Jacqueline Cavalier, CCAC Professor of History, was chosen as a recipient of the Dale. P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). This designation, named in honor of former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell, was established to recognize individuals making a difference in the classroom.

One of only 36 faculty recipients from across the nation to be awarded this prestigious recognition, Dr. Cavalier was selected for her demonstrated commitment, leadership and service to her students, faculty peers, CCAC community and the Pittsburgh region.

"Dr. Cavalier truly embodies the spirit of this award. An entrepreneurial and experienced faculty member and scholar, she has demonstrated the highest degree of imagination and initiative in engaging her students inside and outside of the classroom. She is a model faculty member, who is an active and respected leader within the college community," said Dr. Quintin Bullock, CCAC president.

In addition to her position as a professor of History at CCAC, Dr. Cavalier also serves as the grievance vice president for the American Federation of Teachers Local 2067. Her past positions at CCAC include faculty coordinator of the Labor & Management Studies certificate program, coordinator of the Tom Foerster Archives and Seminar Room, and collegewide Civic Engagement coordinator.

Dr. Cavalier received the 5-Star Teaching Award in 2015, the 2012 Vanguard Diversity College Award, the 2006 NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award and most recently was the recipient of the Mother Jones Award from the Pennsylvania Labor History Society in 2018. She was also awarded a fellowship with the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in 2009.

In addition to numerous book reviews and articles, Dr. Cavalier has published two works, "The Irish in America" in Revolts, Protests, Demonstrations and Rebellions in American History (2011) and "The Impact of Immigration on the Iron and Steel Industry" in The Industrial Revolution in America (2005). She served as a guest lecturer for several educational and community organizations, including the United Steelworkers Institute for Career Development training program. Currently, Dr. Cavalier sits on the board of directors of the Battle of Homestead Foundation, where she heads the Archives and Special Collections committee.