Verde Valley News – Elizabeth “Liz” Peters, lead faculty for the College’s Electrical & Instrumentation Technology and Applied Pre-Engineering programs, is the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) 2025 Faculty Excellence Award Winner for Faculty Innovation.
One of nine Awards of Excellence the AACC bestows annually, the Faculty Innovation award was presented to Peters at the AACC Awards of Excellence Gala April 15 in Nashville, Tenn. The award recognized Peters for her groundbreaking work in hands-on, technology-driven instruction.
“Liz epitomizes the student-centered faculty member who is always looking for ways to better her teaching and improve student outcomes. I was so incredibly honored to be in Nashville to see her receive this well-deserved award from AACC,” said Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine.
The AACC Awards of Excellence honor individuals and institutions that have significantly advanced the mission of community colleges. Winners are selected by a national committee of peers.
Peters said she didn’t expect to win the national award because of the “amazing” accomplishments of her fellow finalists, but she welcomed the recognition of her drive to match student knowledge and skills with industry needs. “When I start new projects or brainstorm ways to improve my courses and my programs, I’m not thinking about innovation per se. I’m just looking for ways to help my students succeed,” she said.
Innovation is ongoing in the programs Peters leads and the classes she teaches at YC’s Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) adjacent to the Prescott Regional Airport. “Current projects for Electrical & Instrumentation Technology include creating virtual twins (digital copies) of the trainers in the electronics lab, expanding the robotics lab, and expanding our internship offerings with more partner companies. Applied pre-engineering, meanwhile, is undergoing a restructuring of the degree to allow for discipline customization, better alignment with the three state universities, and increased transfer course offerings,” she said.
Among other valuable contributions since joining YC in 2014, Peters has chaired the Electronics, Instrumentation, and Automation Advisory Board since 2019, served as Occupational Department Chair from 2017 to 2019, and currently is the faculty chair of the Curriculum Committee. She previously earned an Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and is a former CTEC Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year. Peters serves as a peer mentor at YC, is a faculty representative on the College Council, and is frequently called on to lead STEM events in the community.
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, including three baccalaureate programs, as well as community services, workforce training, and cultural events.
To learn more about Yavapai College and its nationally recognized faculty, visit www.yc.edu.