This award represents HI-TEC’s commitment to recognize community college faculty who make significant contributions to the education and training of today’s technology workforce. Nominees for the award must have had a demonstrated broader impact on technology education on both a local and national level. The Educator-of-the-Year Award recognizes a community college educator for outstanding contributions to advanced technological education.
For more than 25 years, Dr. Kristine Christensen has approached education as an ongoing practice that demands discipline, continuous improvement, and a willingness to challenge both herself and her students. Her work reflects a clear pursuit of excellence, extending well beyond her own classroom and shaping both the cybersecurity workforce and the future of its teaching. At Moraine Valley Community College, Dr. Christensen teaches across disciplines including cybersecurity, manufacturing, and automation, helping students see how these fields intersect in real-world settings. She has developed courses and certification opportunities that prepare students for industry credentials, along with hands-on learning experiences that reflect real-world applications. Through her leadership of the NCyTE National Community College Cybersecurity Fellowship Program, she prepares future instructors who go on to teach at colleges across the country, expanding access to cybersecurity education. Through faculty development, national initiatives, and collaboration, Dr. Christensen continues to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce pipeline and open doors for the next generation.
