Oceanside CA— MiraCosta College associate psychology instructor Anjeanette Oberg—a former high school dropout and teen mom who became the first in her family to go to college—has been named a recipient of the 2016 Hayward Award, an annual recognition honoring four of the most well-rounded community college instructors in California.
“I am so proud to work within the California Community College system,” Oberg said. “As a community college graduate myself, I greatly appreciate the diversity of our student population. Many of our students are fighting against the odds. Their strength, resiliency, and determination is admirable, and I am honored to play a small role in helping them achieve their goals.”
Named for former California Community College Chancellor Gerald C. Hayward, the Hayward Award honors outstanding community college faculty who have a track record of excellence both in teaching and in professional activities and have demonstrated commitment to their students, profession, and college.
“In the world of California community colleges, this is the award that celebrates the fullness of the faculty contribution to students’ lives and educations,” said Susan C. Herrmann, a professor in the English Department who also serves as president of the MiraCosta College Academic Senate. “Only four MiraCosta faculty members have ever won the award; all were full-time faculty, making Anjeanette the first associate (part-time) faculty member from MiraCosta to be so recognized. I hope that her honor will also shine a light on the work of our many, many associate faculty members.”
Like many associate faculty members, Oberg teaches part-time at multiple community colleges. At every campus – including MiraCosta, Palomar and Mt. San Jacinto – Oberg is known as a tireless advocate for expanding educational opportunities and focusing on equity efforts.
Among the projects she has taken on at MiraCosta College: working with NAMI and the Mental Health Peer Education Program, which seeks to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues; collaborating with colleagues to bring events that raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence; immersing herself in service learning, including participating in the annual Community Learning Festival; playing a key role in the annual EOPS Single Parent Conference; and supporting the Umoja and Textbook Loan programs.
Oberg also is collaborating with the nonprofit Leap to Success program in support of domestic violence survivors, and is coordinating a fundraiser for a local survivor who is permanently disabled as a result of her injuries. In addition, she is working with others on a regional grant aimed at creating intercollegiate gender equality and sexual assault awareness events.
“Her work is well beyond any expectation for her work as a psychology professor and is, quite literally, unprecedented,” said biology instructor Michael Fino in a letter nominating Oberg for the Hayward Award. “Her work, whether advising student clubs or organizing a community-wide event, is focused largely on those students who have been disproportionately impacted. She works to help bring them a voice, to empower them, and, ultimately, to help them find their own success.”
Oberg graduated with distinction in earning her associate of arts degree from Riverside City College in 1998, then went on to earn her bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in psychology from Cal State San Bernardino. When she graduated with her master’s degree in 2007, her mother graduated with two bachelor’s degrees in the same ceremony at the age of 59. (Her son is now pursuing two degrees at Cal State San Bernardino as well.)
Recipients of the Hayward Award receive a plaque and $1,250. The California Community Colleges Board of Governors award is sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and recipients are recognized by the board each March.
Oberg’s previous honors include the MiraCosta College EOPS Service of Distinction Award and the Mt. San Jacinto Associate Faculty of the Year Award.
“I love my job, and I value the opportunity to support student success both in and outside the classroom,” Oberg said. “It is my goal to inspire and mentor students, so they can become strong advocates for themselves, their families, and their communities.”