A Cuyamca College instructor recently was recognized for innovative teaching methods at the East County campus.
The American Political Science Association awarded Josue Franco the 2026 APSA Award for Teaching Innovation.
The award recognizes innovative teaching methods in political science.
According to the APSA, “Dr. Franco’s teaching innovations include: Sim Capitol, an online platform that instructors can use to generate individualized simulation material for American Politics classes; iPolSci, which is a platform for any faculty to use for managing their courses and building networks; and the creation of an open education resource textbook Introduction to Political Science Research, the first of its kind at the community college level.”
He served as 2024-2025 APSA Congressional Fellow for U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, the first community college faculty to earn the fellowship since the 1960s. Prior to his academic career, he worked for 5 years in the California State Capitol and U.S. House of Representatives for former Lieutenant Governor and Congressman John Garamendi of California.
Franco is a tenured Associate Professor at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. Born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles County, he is a first-generation college graduate who holds A.A. degrees in economics and political science from Cerritos College, and a B.A. in public policy and M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Merced, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District wrote.
