We are pleased to announce that College of Marin’s Professor Walter Turner won the first-ever state-wide award for Full-Time Faculty of the Year at the Black Educator Excellence Awards by Black Student Success Week! The awards ceremony was hosted on January 27, 2025 in Sacramento. Professor Turner is deeply honored by the recognition.
Professor Turner was born in Marin City and continues to serve his community and College of Marin students with 50 years as Social Science Faculty, specializing in African and African American Studies, and as Chair of the Social Science Department. He serves as the COM Umoja Coordinator.
Professor Turner co-founded the Umoja Learning Community, focusing on the academic success and cultural experience of African American and all students, with Professor Rinetta Early and Dean Tonya Hersch. He is a co-founder of the UMOJA Equity Institute. In August 2024, he led a delegation of UMOJA students to Ghana. He founded and leads the Men’s UMOJA group.
Dr. Jonathan Eldridge, President/Superintendent of the College of Marin, states, “There is no one more deserving of this award and I am sure those of you who know Walter will agree--this award should be named after him! Professor Turner's fifty years of contributions to the education of students in Marin—and around the world—is beyond exemplary."