By Pietra Romano
Catalina Aristizabal, a biology professor at Kendall Campus, received the Changemaking Education award from the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida on Sept 4.
The award recognizes K-12 and higher education teachers who design educational experiences that prepare students for active civic participation.
Winners receive a $100 prize and a certificate of appreciation.
“It just brings me joy to do these things because I enjoy my job,” Aristizabal said.
Aristizabal has worked at Miami Dade College since 2010 and is a council member of the Earth Ethics Institute, where she has participated in sustainability projects.
She has also worked with the animal welfare club, MDC for Paws, was the creator of the Connect for Change challenge, a program to engage students in changemaking, and has advocated for the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals.
The 49-year-old has also worked on the Fairchild Million Orchid Project, in partnership with the TriBeta honors society, planting 24 orchids at the College.
Aristizabal received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and a doctoral degree in biology from the University of Miami.
