Lincoln Land English professor awarded by national community college association

Dr. Deborah Brothers of Springfield, a professor of English at Lincoln Land Community College, has been recognized as a 2025 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award winner by the American Association of Community Colleges at their annual conference in Nashville.

Named for former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell, the award was established to recognize individuals who have demonstrated passion for students and shown willingness to support them both inside and outside of the classroom; and go above and beyond to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors.

Dr. Brothers has taught literature, composition and humanities at LLCC for more than 30 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, a master’s degree from University of Illinois Springfield and a Ph.D. from Illinois State University. Outside of encouraging her students into writing, she eagerly communicates with the Sangamon County community about literature. She was a main speaker at LLCC’s Lit Fest  last October, discussing the importance of protecting against book bans.