College of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Uta Poiger announced the winners of the first-ever CSSH Outstanding Teaching Awards at the college’s annual Faculty Celebration on Thursday, April 2.
College of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Uta Poiger announced the winners of the first-ever CSSH Outstanding Teaching Awards at the college’s annual Faculty Celebration on Thursday, April 2. Professors Ryan Cordell (English) and Kimberly Jones (International Affairs) received Outstanding Teaching Awards, Thomas Akbari (English) received the Outstanding Part-Time Instructor Award, and Jarvis Chen (Political Science) received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award.
These awards were made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor. An awards committee—comprising Chris Gallagher (Dean’s Office), Bill Fowler (History), Emily Mann (Human Services), Sema Taheri (graduate student, Criminology and Criminal Justice), and Rachel Lake (undergraduate, International Affairs and Cultural Anthropology)—reviewed all nominations to determine the winners.
Cordell, assistant professor of English, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in American literature, book history, and digital humanities. The committee particularly noted his innovative teaching and curriculum development, his exceptionally positive student evaluations, his thoughtful integration of teaching and research, and the energy and vision he brings to engagement with students within and beyond the classroom.
Jones is an assistant academic specialist who teaches undergraduate courses in the International Affairs and Middle East Studies programs. She is also a member of the International Affairs Program Curriculum Committee and faculty adviser to the Middle East Studies Students Association. The committee was impressed by the rich and detailed materials she uses in the classroom, her commitment to experiential education, and her focus on mentoring students outside the classroom.
Akbari is a part-time instructor in the Department of English and the Writing Program. He has been successful in teaching a range of courses, from first-year to advanced. His nomination also highlighted his seamless integration of research and teaching and his detailed, thorough, and well-designed course materials.
Chen, a doctoral candidate and lecturer in political science, teaches classes in quantitative techniques and American government. He impressed the committee with his imaginative assignments that both challenge and support learners in his classroom, his infectious passion in his field, and the esteem in which his colleagues hold his work as a teacher.
THE 2014-15 CSSH TEACHING AWARDS
The Outstanding Teaching Award
Ryan Cordell, Department of English
Kimberly Jones, International Affairs Program
The Outstanding Part-Time Instructor Award
Tom Akbari, Department of English
The Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
Jarvis Chen, Department of Political Science
