At the Alamo Colleges District Board Meeting on December 19, Professor Mary Cottier was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus by the ACD Board of Trustees. The unanimous decision reflects Professor Cottier's outstanding service, unwavering commitment, and substantial contributions to St. Philip’s College.

Professor Cottier's journey at St. Philip’s College began in 1989 when she assumed the role of a mathematics professor. Within six years, by 1995, she earned tenure, marking a significant milestone in her career. Over the years, she took on various roles, showcasing her dedication to the institution. From 2003 to 2007, she served as the chair of the Mathematics, Computer Science, and Business Administration Department. Later, from 2009 to 2014, she held the position of Dean of Arts and Sciences.

One of her notable contributions was the establishment of the first developmental math learning lab in 2004 and 2005, which evolved into Math World – SPC's premier math tutoring lab. This center now annually serves 20,000 students and has become an integral part of the academic success of math students at the college.

Throughout her career, Professor Cottier received several accolades, including the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award in 1997 and 2007. In 2006 and 2008, she was honored with the St. Philip’s College Teaching Excellence Award. Her leadership role as chair earned her the District Council of Chairs Award in 2010. Additionally, in 2020, she was nominated by St. Philip’s College for the Piper Professor Award.

Professor Cottier played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Memorial Early College High School with Comal ISD, the first early college high school affiliated with St. Philip’s College. Furthermore, she contributed to the creation of St. Philip’s College Early College High School in San Antonio ISD and Seguin Early College High School, showcasing her commitment to expanding educational opportunities.