Kenny Parker Honored as 2026 Black Educator Excellence Faculty of the Year

Kenny Parker, Faculty and Program Chair of Healthcare Careers at San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE), has been named the 2026 Black Educator Excellence (BEE) Awards honoree for Full-Time Instructional Faculty of the Year.

“It is a great honor to be selected as this year’s recipient of the Black Educator Excellence Award,” said Parker, who has worked at SDCCE since 2008. “I truly appreciate the nomination and the honor.”

In partnership with the African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators (AACCCTA), the 2026 Black Educator Excellence Awards celebrated educators from across the state who are advancing educational equity and excellence within the California Community College system. This year, the BEE Awards Planning Committee received 64 nominations representing 43 nominees statewide, recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, service, and commitment to student success.

“This is a well-deserved recognition. Kenny Parker has been instrumental in growing SDCCE’s healthcare program and shaping the future of the field through education. Professor Parker’s impact is felt not only through his teaching, but in the lasting difference he makes in students’ lives and in the communities they go on to serve.” said SDCCE President Dr. Tina M. King.

Parker joined two other distinguished nominees in his category: Tyrone Ledford of Cerro Coso Community College and Donte Newman of Santa Barbara City College.

SDCCE currently offers seven tuition-free healthcare career certificates: Nursing Assistant, Rehabilitative Nursing Assistant, Acute Care Nursing Assistant, Personal Care Assistant/Caregiver, Home Health Aide, Behavioral Home Health Aide, and Health Unit Coordinator.

A proud veteran and dedicated educator, Parker is recognized for his unwavering commitment to equity, access, and inclusion. He leads SDCCE’s dual enrollment healthcare pathways in partnership with San Diego Unified School District, opening doors to healthcare careers for high school students while continuing to mentor adult learners. His programs have been especially transformative for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, many of them former medical professionals in their home countries, who are rebuilding their careers and lives in the United States.

Through his mentorship, dozens of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students have successfully entered the workforce throughout San Diego County, and continued into college-level nursing and allied health programs. His efforts have improved student retention and completion rates, particularly among students from Black and Latinx communities.

The 2026 BEE Awards Reception was held during the Community College League of California (CCLC) Legislative Conference on January 26th in Sacramento.

For more information on award categories and nominees, please visit: https://blkstudentsuccess.com/the-bee-awards/.

For more information on the healthcare program at SDCCE, visit: sdcce.edu/job-training/health-career-training.