David Carpenter named 2026 Minnie Stevens Piper nominee
College Excellence Award recipients announced
Pasadena, Texas – David Carpenter, assistant professor of Information Technology, has been named the San Jacinto College 2026 nominee for the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award. The annual recognition honors outstanding educators across Texas who demonstrate exceptional teaching, dedication to student success, and a sustained commitment to academic excellence.
Carpenter, who joined the College in 2022, has a goal to teach students how to find, evaluate, and apply knowledge—skills that endure beyond software versions, tools, or trends.
His classroom model blends discussion, hands-on practice, formative check-ins, and summative assessments that prioritize a student’s ability to demonstrate true understanding. Whether teaching relational databases or foundational IT concepts, Carpenter says he hasn’t done his job unless students can both execute a skill and articulate the reasoning behind it.
“At the end of the day, I'm trying to impart my students - not just with the knowledge I've built from a graduate education - but with the wisdom I've gleaned from a decade and a half as a technology professional,” Carpenter said. “In the short term, I want them to succeed because they have the practical skills it takes to do the job, but in the long term, I want them to flourish because they have the critical thinking chops to adapt and grow with the industry.”
Carpenter’s contributions to San Jacinto College extend far beyond the classroom. He played a critical role in creating and launching the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity, supported the College’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency, and helped develop the IT Specialist associate of applied science degree.
“Mr. Carpenter exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Piper Professor Program-an unwavering commitment to teaching, a passion for inspiring students, and a deep engagement in improving educational practice.,” said Dr. Alexander Okwonna, North Campus provost. “His contributions have profoundly strengthened our programs, our students' career readiness, and our institutional distinction at the state and national levels.”
Carpenter holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from LeTourneau University, a Master of Arts degree in management and leadership from Liberty University, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in cyber-psychology at Capitol Technology University.
2025-2026 San Jacinto College Excellence Award Recipients
In addition to the Minnie Stevens Piper nomination, San Jacinto College is pleased to announce its 2025-2026 Excellence Award recipients, recognizing faculty, staff, and administrators who exemplify exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to student success.
San Jacinto College Faculty Excellence Award recipients include Haley Ford, education BAS; Mary Lindsey, department chair, consumer and business and technical services; and Cheryl Mallant, education BAS.
Staff Excellence Award recipients are Khenley Harvell, coordinator, business continuity, emergency management; Mary Ellen Laurel, coordinator, division operations, education BAS; Carey Martinez, financial aid specialist, financial aid systems and application processing; and Jose Nicolas, coordinator, veteran services.
The Administrator Excellence Award went to Jeff Tambrella, vice president, technical support; and Niki Whiteside, chief online learning and innovation officer, instructional innovation and support.
Criteria for the College’s Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards nominations include addressing the nominee’s last two years of work and service in the following areas: ability to serve as a role model and work collaboratively with others; possessions of exemplary attributes or qualifications; contributions to addressing or meeting the needs of our students and/or our employees; and dedications, service, and involvement in the College community.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
