FACULTY
Pots, pans and
Chef Leake receives national honor
Steven Leake
Chef Leake instructs student Amber Presley at St. Vincent DePaul’s Food Mission.
and career success of his students. Leake says although he is honored to be among the 58 distinguished faculty representing various disciplines and colleges nationwide this year, he feels rewarded each day. “My students, many of whom face insurmountable challenges, are the driving force that guides my path to improve their lives and equip them with stellar skills to enter the workforce. Their success is my reward.”
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outhwest Culinary Institute Program Coordinator Steven Leake was named a Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award recipient this past January by the American Association of Community Colleges. AACC, an advocacy organization that represents 1,200 two-year, associate degree granting institutions nationwide, annually recognizes community college faculty who exemplify teaching excellence and leadership. When Leake joined Southwest in 2003, the culinary program was on probation due to low performance outcomes, graduation rates and enrollment. Since then, he has transformed the program into one of the most highly regarded culinary institutes in the region through his talent, leadership and dedication to ensuring the educational
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Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall says the recognition comes as no surprise to her. “He never fails to raise the bar in the classroom and to broaden his students’ outlook on their futures,” Hall says. “His commitment to his craft and our students is undeniable and the college is truly proud to count him among our faculty.” Leake is a graduate of State Technical Institute at Memphis (now Southwest) where he earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in hotel and restaurant management in 1988. Ever raising the bar, he is pursuing American Culinary Federation certification, a premier distinction among chefs and cooks nationwide. SN
