Sandra L. Schultz, a 30-year Miami Dade College North Campus professor, has been named the 2009 Florida Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Schultz was selected from among more than 300 top professors nominated by colleges and universities throughout the country.

She was honored at a reception Wednesday night at the Folger Shakespeare Library Exhibition Hall in Washington, D.C.

Schultz is the third MDC professor to receive this top recognition, which is given jointly by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The other winners were:

• In 2003, Alberto Meza, professor of fine arts at the Kendall Campus.

• In 2005, Ana M. Cruz, School of Business chair at the Wolfson Campus.

``This is an incredible honor. It's a great way to end my career,'' Schultz, who plans to retire next year, said in a statement released by the college. ``I have really enjoyed my years at MDC.''

Schultz began her career at MDC in 1977 as a volleyball and softball coach, and then teaching several physical education and activity courses.

She also helped develop the fitness and wellness for life course, which provides instruction on how to improve health and nutrition, as well as reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recently, she began teaching the course online to students living all over the world.

In addition to teaching, Schultz is the author of several fitness textbooks.

She is chair of the North Campus Wellness Day Committee, which annually draws in more than 700 participants. The Carnegie Foundation's Professors of the Year awards program was established in 1981 and is the only advanced-study center for teachers in the world.