North Hennepin Professor Honored with Presidential Award
A long-time North Hennepin Community College professor has received a prestigious honor. Eugenia Paulus is one of just 14 college instructors in the U.S. to win the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
Paulus, who teaches organic chemistry, is just the second Minnesota professor to win the award. For Paulus, the Presidential Award is a huge highlight in her North Hennepin career. She traveled to Washington, D.C., in mid-October to receive the award.
“They really make you feel special,” Paulus said. “Your air travel is taken care of. You land in Washington, D.C. You make your way to the hotel, the Washington Hilton. Your welcomed and greeted right there as you step into the check-in. They identify you, welcome you, greet you.”
The Presidential Award recognizes her focus on student success in a mentoring role. Each recipient receives a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate.
Paulus says it’s one of the highlights of her career, but not the only one. She has received plenty of accolades in her 19 years at North Hennepin.
“There have been a couple of pinnacle moments,” Paulus said. “The Carnegie and Case award that I received for professor of the year. I am the only community college professor to have ever won that award. That was one pinnacle in 2008. This is another one too.”
