SBCC physical education instructor Sally Saenger received the Dean Murakami Advocate of the Year award recently at the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) Advocacy and Policy Conference in Sacramento.

The theme of the conference was Creating Equity Through Policy and Action. Each year, the Dean Murakami award is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated effective advocacy at the state level.

Named after former FACCC president and statewide faculty champion Dean Murakami, the recognition is at the core of FACCC’s mission, and illustrates the critically important work of faculty advocates.

FACCC said it was honored to give the award to Saenger, who has not only been an effective advocate for faculty in general, but for part-time faculty specifically.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Saenger said. “Although teaching is my first priority, the fight for equity and justice is a close second. It’s rewarding to be recognized in this way by such a reputable faculty organization.”

For more than 65 years, FACCC has taken an integrated approach to advocacy, combining expert analysis, grass roots activity, direct lobbying, and strategic campaign work, all in an effort to serve California Community Colleges faculty.

In 2017-18, Saenger, who teaches credit and noncredit classes, received the Hayward Award for Excellence in Education from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.