By Lookout Staff

December 6, 2011 -- A philosopher with a green bent and a counselor who is considered a statewide guru on transforming universities have been named Santa Monica College's 2011 Co-Faculty of the Year.

Philosopher Amber Katherine and counselor Dan Nannini shared the award because they are "such outstanding faculty members that we could not narrow the award this year to just one
recipient," college officials said.

"Amber is a compassionate and caring professor who has helped transform SMC into one of the greenest colleges in the state, and Dan is one of the state's leading transfer experts," said SMC kinesiology professor Elaine Roque, chair of the Academic Senate's Sabbaticals, Fellowships & Awards Committee.

SMC is the top ranked transfer college to the University of California, USC and other state institutions, Roque added.

The SMC Academic Senate also nominated Katherine for the statewide Hayward Award, which
"honors outstanding community college faculty who have a track record of excellence in teaching and professional activities and have demonstrated commitment to their students, profession and college," college officials said. The Hayward Award is sponsored by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.

A Mar Vista resident, Katherine has taught philosophy at SMC since 1999, where he has become a campus leader in the area of sustainability. She has served on the Academic Senate Executive and
other committees, chairing the Environmental Affairs Committee.

"Katherine was instrumental in developing the 'ecological literacy' track of SMC's graduation requirements and was the leading faculty member working with the Associated Students to organize the 2008 Focus the Nation Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions," college officilas wrote.

At the Teach-In, SMC President Dr. Chui L. Tsang signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

A Culver City resident, Nannini was hired as a general counselor at SMC in 1988. During his tenure, he has made a particular mark in the past 14 years as the Transfer Center faculty leader, a role that is critical to the college, SMC officials said.

Under his leadership, SMC has sponsored workshops to help students transfer to four-year institutions and brings in recruiters year-round to the campus, officials said. The college also helps conducts bus tours to universities statewide and hosts the largest college transfer fair in
the state, attracting more than 100 universities worldwide.

Nannini also has helped develop transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout the world, including the Ivy League Columbia University in New York, college officials said.

The counselor is the author of the "Nannini Guide," which help students navigate the transfer process. Nannini also serves as president of the Transfer Center Directors Association and giving presentations throughout California and the U.S.