Dr. Denise Bushnell Honored with 2024-25 Hayward Award for Excellence
Recognized as Champion for Removing Barriers for Student Success
Sierra College business professor Dr. Denise Bushnell has been honored with the 2024-25 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education. Sponsored annually by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, this award honors community college full-time and part-time faculty who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their students, college and profession.
Hayward Award honorees must be nominated by their college academic senate, and nominees are selected by representatives of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.
In nominating Dr. Bushnell for the award, Sierra College colleagues recognized her decades of work in removing barriers to student success and championing numerous initiatives to help historically underrepresented students reach their educational and career goals. These initiatives include:
- The Invention and Inclusive Innovation (i3) program to integrate social entrepreneurship, equitable access and 21st century skills
- Aligning CTE curriculum to be more inclusive and meet local workforce needs
- Growing Sierra College’s Dual Enrollment programs to bring more Career Technical Education (CTE) courses to local high schools – particularly under-resourced high schools
- Working with other programs to help remove educational and cultural barriers to empower underrepresented student populations
“Dr. Bushnell’s commitment to increasing opportunities has left a lasting impact on all our students by forging equitable pathways that connect them to meaningful and successful careers,” said Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan. “Sierra College is grateful for her many years of outstanding service and thrilled for her to receive this statewide honor.”
In supporting the award nomination, Sierra College colleagues recognized Dr. Bushnell’s “unwavering dedication to student equity,” and “broadening access to diverse learners to accelerate their connection to the workforce.” Colleagues also credited Dr. Bushnell for “courageous leadership and commitment to equity that have expanded opportunities for CTE students, strengthened employer connections, and fostered enduring cultural change.”
Dr. Bushnell has been a faculty member at Sierra College since 1999. She provides leadership in the Business Department in the areas of entrepreneurship and CTE. She serves as an Academic Senator for the Business and Technology Division, chair of the CTE Committee, numerous Sierra College committees, task forces, and regional efforts with other community colleges.
The Hayward Award for Excellence in Education program was established in 1989 in honor of Gerald C. Hayward, who served as chancellor of the California Community Colleges from 1980 to 1985. This year, the Academic Senate selected three winners. Award recipients must have a record of outstanding performance of professional activities, as well as active participation on campus. The Hayward Awards are supported through a grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Each recipient receives a $1,250 cash award and a commemorative plaque. Dr. Bushnell plans to donate the cash award to Sierra College’s Basic Needs Center.
This is the fourth year in a row in which an instructor from Sierra College has been honored with this award. Dr. Bushnell’s recognition follows Dr. Melissa Leal in 2023-24, Dr. Jane Le Skaife in 2022-23, and Dr. Winsome Jackson in 2021-22.
Dr. Bushnell was honored at a California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on March 25, 2025, in Sacramento.
About Sierra College
Sierra College is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.