M. Elaine Tagliareni, RN, EdD, a professor of nursing at Community College of Philadelphia, was selected Pennsylvania Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

"Great professors transform their students' lives by transmitting their passion for learning," CASE President John Lippincott said at the awards ceremony at the Willard InterContinental Washington (D.C.) hotel in November. "This year's U.S. Professors of the Year have demonstrated not just a profound knowledge of their disciplines but genuine excitement for their work, excitement that is compelling and contagious for those fortunate enough to study with them."

CASE and Carnegie selected national and state winners based on four criteria: impact on and involvement with undergraduate students; scholarly approach to teaching and learning; contributions to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession; and support from colleagues and current and former undergraduate students.

It is the latest accolade for Tagliareni. This year, she received the 2008 Northeast Regional Faculty award and the prestigious national William H. Meardy Faculty Award from the Association of Community College Trustees, which represents 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions and some 10 million students.

Tagliareni says she is inspired by her students to create and teach curriculum that is collaborative, dedicated to service, and attentive to the development of the spirit of inquiry.

"My ultimate goal is to assist in the development of graduates who are able to use the knowledge and skills gained through the program to provide safe and competent nursing care for residents of Philadelphia," she says.

This year's U.S. Professors of the Year Awards program had four national winners as well as state-level professors of the year from 44 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. CASE and Carnegie select state winners from top entries.