SAN MARCOS – In the recent award ceremony from the San Diego Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (SDCAAWCC), four women representing Palomar College won the Phenomenal Women of Region X award.

Breeana Stephens won Student Woman of the Year in the SDCAAWCC awards.

Dr. Susan Miller was the winner of the Faculty Woman of the Year award. Dr. Susan Miller is currently a sociology professor teaching at Palomar College.

Palomar’s Teresa Laughlin won SDCAAWCC’s Administrator Woman of the Year award. “I was delighted on being selected for the SDCAAWCC Phenomenal Women of Region X award. It was completely unexpected… I was delighted on being selected for the SDCAAWCC Phenomenal Women of Region X award. It was completely unexpected,” Laughlin wrote.

Teresa Laughlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy of Natural Resources from the University of California Berkley and a Master’s in economics from California State University Fullerton. She has been in the Education department for 36 years. After teaching economics at Valencia High School in Placentia, Laughlin joined Palomar College’s staff in 1995. Laughlin was recently granted the role of Acting Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences in June 2022.”I plan to retire on July 4, although, I may be back teaching as an Emeritus Faculty member,” Laughlin responded when asked about future plans.

SDCAAWCC awarded Cheryl Kearse with the title of Classified Woman of the Year. Cheryl Kearse is currently a staff member at Palomar College. Kearse is listed as a Curriculum Specialist in Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association (PBFSA). The Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association focuses on supporting black students, staff, and faculty that attend Palomar College. Kearse is from North Carolina and moved to Oceanside, California in 2001. Kearse describes herself as a reader, a writer, and a trombonist.