Dr. Linda Lujan accepts the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on April 20.

Dr. Linda Lujan, former president of Lamar Community College (LCC), recently earned the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), an organization that recognizes the academic achievement of community college students.  

Each year, PTK awards retiring college presidents who have advocated for student success initiatives and demonstrated outstanding support of scholars and student leaders. Dr. Lujan was nominated by students in LCC’s PTK chapter, led by Professor Kelly Emick. 

“The award was an unexpected but wonderful capstone to my 40-year career in community colleges,” said Dr. Lujan. “As a community college graduate who was inducted into the Sigma Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Arapahoe Community College many years ago, it is especially meaningful to come full circle with PTK. I am so appreciative to the Beta Eta Gamma Chapter at Lamar Community College for the nomination.” 

Dr. Lujan accepted her award at the PTK annual convention in Columbus, Ohio. Her grandson Quentin Cheesman, a student at the University of Northwestern Ohio, joined her for the award ceremony. 

“These college leaders have made student success a priority throughout their career,” says Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them, both inside and outside the classroom.” 

Dr. Lujan served as LCC president for nearly seven years and recently retired this February. Under her leadership, LCC transformed the student experience through numerous facilities improvements, technology enhancements, and beautification projects. 

Prior to leading LCC, Dr. Lujan served in leadership roles at Maricopa Community College District in Arizona, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and South Mountain Community College. She also spent eight years with the Colorado Community College System as the academic dean of the Centers for Business & Technology and Health Sciences at the Community College of Denver and the director of educational technology at Arapahoe Community College. 

“I am incredibly proud of the significant campus improvements we have made over the past several years,” she said of her time at LCC. “I know our hard work will enhance the learning and living environments for our students, as well as provide faculty and staff with more opportunity to increase student engagement and academic success for years to come.”