Hudson County Community College’s Dr. Clive Li Honored with AACC 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition
April 17, 2023
Hudson County Community College Instructor of Engineering Science Dr. Clive Li (center) is a recipient of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award. Pictured with Dr. Li is AACC Board of Directors Chair, Dr. Joseph Schaffer (left), and AACC President and CEO, Dr. Walter G. Bumphus.
April 17, 2023, Jersey City, NJ – As the saying goes, people learn best by example, and Dr. Clive Li, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Assistant Professor of Engineering Science, most certainly is the model of an inspiring educator.
On April 4, 2023, Dr. Li was conferred with the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition medal. The honor – that recognizes faculty who demonstrate passion for and support of students, in and out of the classroom – was presented to Dr. Li by AACC President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Walter Bumphus, and AACC Board Chair, Dr. Joe Schaffer at the closing ceremonies of the AACC Annual Meeting in Denver, CO.
“The entire Hudson County Community College family joins me in congratulating our valued colleague, Clive Li,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “Dr. Li is a great asset to Hudson County Community College, our students, and the people we serve. He is respected by his colleagues, esteemed by his peers in academia and the research industry, and an exemplary educator who inspires his students and creates transformational, life-changing opportunities for them.”
Clive Li is a nationally renowned research scientist who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Doctoral degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Stony Brook University. Prior to teaching at HCCC, he was a research scientist at Amco Polymers, and he holds patents on Biodegradable Diaper, Eggshell Bio-composite Materials, and a Wearable Aromatic Device. Dr. Li helped create the HCCC Associate in Applied Science degree program in Advanced Manufacturing – one that is rarely found at two-year colleges – and Dr. Li is an advisor to the Holz Technik Academy apprenticeship program. To help ensure diversity in STEM, he participates in the College’s annual “Girls in Technology” symposium.
Dr. Li states that nurturing students’ interests in science is the focal point of all he does. “I take pride in creating innovative ways to help students succeed academically, personally, and professionally. I mentor students to reach their highest academic potential, guide them when they struggle, and relate learning to real-life experiences,” he says.
One way Dr. Li engages students is to include them in planning and creating hands-on projects such as an Antimicrobial Door Opener, Automatic Face Mask Distributor, Hydroponic Mushroom Farm, Biodegradable Golf Tees, and even a launchable rocket. The experiences and mentoring he provides have brought his students scholarships and other rewards, including rare undergraduate opportunities to conduct research at Princeton University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Rutgers University.
“Ensuring students complete their associate degree work, and finding ways for them to transfer to baccalaureate and doctoral degree programs, is at the heart of my work,” Dr. Li says. Indeed, he has succeeded in doing so: One of his students – HCCC 2021 Valedictorian Pedro Moranchel – was the recipient of the 2021 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship that is paying all of his college expenses at Princeton University.