Minn. professor recognized for work in community colleges

St. Paul, Minn. — A Minnesota professor named 2008 U.S. Community College Professor of the year said community colleges are becoming more important in the nation's higher education system.

Eugenia Paulus, a chemistry professor at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, won the professor of the year award from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Paulus is the only Minnesota professor to ever win the award.

Paulus said her work has focused on giving community college students the chance to do undergraduate research, something that will prepare them for four year colleges and careers in science.

"The community colleges work provides the backbone of education in the country. I think they're really evolving into centers of education," Paulus said.

Paulus will be honored Wednesday night during a special event at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul.