Faculty Awards

2024

President’s Teaching Scholars Award

The President's Teaching Scholars honors faculty "whoexemplify a zeal for teaching and learning, a passion for their discipline, high regard for their students, an altruistic attitude towards students and colleagues, full respect for diversity in teaching styles and learning communities, an interest in assessing the effects of classroom teaching, and a desire to promote civil discourse both inside and outside the classroom.

Jenny Knight

Jenny Knight

Dr. Knight has been working with LAs in MCDB since before 2011.

Best Should Teach Gold Award

The Best Should Teach Initiativestrives to acknowledge excellence in teaching and academic leadership. The initiative is managed by the Center for Teaching & Learningin coordination with the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciencesat the University of Colorado Boulder. Lindley and Marguerite Stiles established the initiative in 1996 to promulgate the message that “The Best Should Teach.”

Nabilah Carlon

Nabilah Carlon

Dr. Carlon has been working with LAs in CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1133 since Fall 2015.

Cogswell Award for Inspirational Teaching

Supported by a generous donation from Craig Cogswell, a three-time alumnus of Boulder, the award recognizes outstanding instruction in the college, honoring individuals for their inspirational qualities and teaching abilities.

Amy Palmer

Amy Palmer

Dr. Palmer has worked with LAs in BCHM 1020, 3100, 4400, 4720; CHEM 1271, 1400, 441. She also served as the Departmental Coordinator for Biochemistry.

Boulder Faculty Assembly, Excellence in Teaching

The BFA Excellence Awards specifically recognize outstanding work and a concerted effort to make advances in the academy. The Excellence in Teaching award recognizes the vital importance of teaching and mentoring students as significant components of faculty duties that are central to the university’s mission.

Bethany Wilcox

Bethany Wilcox

Dr. Wilcox has worked with LAs since Spring 2019 in PHYS 1230 and 3220.

Faculty who have completed the LA Program “newer faculty” professional development series:

We would like to acknowledge faculty who have recently started working with LAs and have participated in all aspects of faculty learning sessions designed for faculty who are new to the LA Program. We appreciate their commitment to building strong instructional teams that include LAs while also making changes to their course that foster meaningful student and LA interactions. These faculty completed sessions including (1) All Faculty Meetings, (2) Essential Elements of the LA Model (LAA Workshop), (3) Transforming your Course (LAA Workshop), (4) What is the weekly prep session? (LAA Workshop), and (5) at least one early-semester check-in during weeks 3 or 4 of the semester. Thank you for your time and efforts and for contributing meaningfully to our program!

2023 - 2024:
- Yuan Shi, PHYS
- Tyler McMaken, PHYS
- Sasha Novack, PHYS
- Marialis Rosario Franco, ASTR
-Leah Simon, ASTR

Previous Recipients from 2022 - 2023
- Lori Poole, COMM
- Renee Gurganus, PHYS
- Supriya Naidu, CSCI
- Eric Vance, AHUM
- Liz Cassano, ATOC
- Alison Vigers, NRSC
- Kimberly Campbell, BCOR
- Marc Rich, COMM
- Brooke Huibregtse, PSYC

2023

World Laureates Association Prize

TheWorld Laureates Association(WLA) Prize is an international science prize established in 2021 that recognizes researchers and technologists worldwide for their contributions to science. It aims to “support global science and technology advancement, address the challenges to humanity and promote society's long-term progress,” according to the WLA.

Karolin Luger

Karolin Luger

Dr. Luger has worked with LAs since Fall 2017 in BCHM 4720.

The Svend Pedersen Lecture

The Svend Pedersen Lecture Award honors Valerie Otero, in collaboration with Noah Finkelstein,for their significant contributions to teacher education praxis. Their cross-disciplinary collaboration (between the Physics and Education Departments) led to the development of the highly influential and successful Learning Assistant Program. The intervention has been highly successful, with the model being adopted both nationally and internationally. The model has been disseminated in major academic journals across disciplines such as Science, Physical Review Physics Education Research and the American Journal of Physics.

Noah Finkelstein

Noah Finkelstein

Dr. Finkelstein has researched and worked with LAs since 2003 as a Lead Faculty in PHYS 1010, 1020, 1230, 2130, 2170, 3330, among so many others!
Dr. Otero

Valerie Otero

Dr. Otero was elected as a 2021 APS Fellow for the creation and broad dissemination of innovative physics curricular materials, pioneering contributions to physics teacher education and professional development, and for the development, implementation, and wide dissemination of the Learning Assistant Model across diverse institutions.

Fellows for the Faculty Leadership Institute

The Faculty Leadership Institute(FLI)helps identify and support emerging leaders; it provides an opportunity for faculty across the Boulder campus to work together to break down barriers and build community, collaborationand connectedness across schools, programsand departments. FLI also offers each cohort the opportunity to engage in targeted discussions with campus leaders on current campus issues and to build leadership skills. Since its inception in 2013, FLI has had over 150 fellows.

Nabilah Carlon

Nabilah Carlon

Dr. Carlon has been working with LAs in CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1133 since Fall 2015.

Open Educational ResourcesChampion Awards

The honor celebrates an educator from each of the four campuses who contributes to the open educational movement through the creation of open access learning materials, and in so doing, increases OER awareness and interest in exploring, adopting and creating OER to benefit students.

David Paradis

David Paradis

Dr. Paradis has worked with LAs since Spring 2020 in HIST 1011, 1113, 3020, and CE-HIST 1011.

Best Should Teach Gold Award

The Best Should Teach Initiativestrives to acknowledge excellence in teaching and academic leadership. The initiative is managed by the Center for Teaching & Learningin coordination with the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciencesat the University of Colorado Boulder. Lindley and Marguerite Stiles established the initiative in 1996 to promulgate the message that “The Best Should Teach.”

Nii Armah Sowah

Nii Armah Sowah

Dr. Sowah will begin working with LAs in Fall 2023 in DNCE 2501.
Bethany Wilcox

Bethany Wilcox

Dr. Wilcox has worked with LAs since Spring 2019 in PHYS 1230 and 3220.

Previous LA Faculty who have also won this award include:
2018: Janet Y. Tsai, Mechanical Engineering; Jenny Knight, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
2014: William Kuskin, English
2009: Michael Klymkowski, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
2008: Michael Dubson, Physics
2007: Valerie Otero, Education; Noah Finkelstein, Physics
2006: Steven Pollock, Physics
2004: Martin Bickman, English

Outstanding Physics Teacher of the Year

Eleanor Hodby

Eleanor Hodby

Dr. Hodby has worked with LAs since Fall 2013 in PHYS 1010, 1110, 1115, 1120, 1125, 2010, and 2020.
Bethany Wilcox

Bethany Wilcox

Dr. Wilcox has worked with LAs since Spring 2019 in PHYS 1230 and 3220.

Marinus Smith Award

The Marinus Smith Award recognizes faculty and staff members who have had a particularly positive impact on our students. Honorees are nominated by those they teach, mentor, support and serve.

Keith Ulmer Photo

Keith Ulmer

Dr. Ulmer has been working with LAs since Fall 2021 in PHYS 2210 and 2130.

Open Educator Award

The award is given annually by the University Libraries and the University of Colorado Boulder Student Government to honor educators who reduce the cost of an education and enhance learning by creating, sharing, supporting or using open educational materials in their teaching.

 Mike Klymkowsky

Mike Klymkowsky

Dr. Klymkowsky has worked with LAs since 2011 in MCDB 1111, 1150, 2222, and 4650.

Excellence in Research, Scholarly, and Creative Work

The BFA Excellence Awards specifically recognize outstanding work and a concerted effort to make advances in the academy. The Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarly, and Creative Work celebrates faculty contributions of the highest quality. Emphasis will be on work that may not receive recognition through the usual channels, has an interdisciplinary focus, or is the culmination of long-term achievement in one’s field.

Meredith Betterton

Meredith Betterton

Dr. Betterton has worked with LAs since 2012 in PHYS 1110, 1120, 1240, and 2600.

Distinguished Professor

This title is extended to recognize the outstanding contributions of tenured faculty members to their academic disciplines. Candidates nominated for a distinguished professorship must demonstrate accomplishments in accordance with university-wide criteria. As of fall 2020, 118 University of Colorado professors hold the title of distinguished professor.

Karolin Luger

Karolin Luger

Dr. Luger has worked with LAs since Fall 2017 in BCHM 4720

2022

Teaching Professor of Distinction

These teaching professors, who range from historians to biologists, are being recognized with the college’s highest honor for their exemplary teaching and participation in the university community. They were chosen by their peers and confirmed by previous teaching professors of distinction.

Christy Fillman

Christy Fillman

Dr. Fillman has worked with LAs since 2009 in MCDB 2150 + MCDB 2152. She serves as the LA Program Departmental Coordinator for MCDB.
John Keller

John Keller

Dr. Keller has worked with LAs since Spring 2019 in ASTR 1010, 1200, 3400. He serves as the LA Program Departmental Coordinator for ASTR.
David Paradis

David Paradis

Dr. Paradis has worked with LAs since Spring 2020 in CE-HIST 1011, HIST 3020, HIST 1113. He serves as the LA Program Departmental Coordinator for History.

Marinus Smith Award Winners

The Marinus Smith Award recognizes faculty and staff members who have had a particularly positive impact on our students. Honorees are nominated by those they teach, mentor, support and serve.

Anne Dougherty

Anne Dougherty

Dr. Dougherty has worked with LAs since 2004 as the co-departmental coordinator of the Applied Math department and Lead Faculty of APPM 1350, 1360, 2350, 2360, 3310, 3570, 4440, and many more! She was recognized for this award due to her efforts as a faculty advisor and Associate Chair for Applied Mathematics.
Noah Finkelstein

Noah Finkelstein

Dr. Finkelstein has researched and worked with LAs since 2003 as a Lead Faculty in PHYS 1010, 1020, 1230, 2130, 2170, 3330, among so many others!

President’s Teaching Scholars Award

The President's Teaching Scholars honors faculty "whoexemplify a zeal for teaching and learning, a passion for their discipline, high regard for their students, an altruistic attitude towards students and colleagues, full respect for diversity in teaching styles and learning communities, an interest in assessing the effects of classroom teaching, and a desire to promote civil discourse both inside and outside the classroom."

Heather Lewandowski

Heather Lewandowski

Dr. Lewandowski has worked with LAs since Spring 2014 as a Lead Faculty for PHYS 1140 and 3300.

Boulder Faculty Assembly, Excellence in Teaching

The BFA Excellence Awards specifically recognize outstanding work and a concerted effort to make advances in the academy. The Excellence in Teaching award recognizes the vital importance of teaching and mentoring students as significant components of faculty duties that are central to the university’s mission.

Rachael Deagman Simonetta

Rachael Deagman Simonetta

Dr. Deagman Simonetta is a faculty member in the English Department and is a recipient of the 2022 Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogy Award.

2021

American Physical Society's Fellows

The APS Fellowship Program recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions to the physics enterprise in physics research, important applications of physics, leadership in or service to physics, or significant contributions to physics education.

Valerie Otero

Valerie Otero

Dr. Otero was elected as a 2021 APS Fellow for the creation and broad dissemination of innovative physics curricular materials, pioneering contributions to physics teacher education and professional development, and for the development, implementation, and wide dissemination of the Learning Assistant Model across diverse institutions.
Kathy Perkins

Kathy Perkins

Dr. Perkins was elected as a 2021 APS fellow for profound contributions to physics education through the vision and leadership of the PhET project, resulting in the creation of many high-quality interactive simulations for teaching physics to hundreds of millions of students and teachers globally.

Graduate School Outstanding Mentor Award Winners

This awardrecognizes dedicated faculty members for theirmany contributions in mentoring graduate students and supporting the mission of graduate education.

Dr. Valerie Otero

Valerie Otero

Dr. Otero is a Professor of Science Education at the University of Colorado Boulder, specializing in Physics Education Research. Valerie is co-founder and executive director of the Colorado Learning Assistant program, the International Learning Assistant Alliance, and the Physics through Evidence, Empowerment through Reasoning (PEER Physics) program. Valerie has advised the National Academy of Sciences, the American Physical Society, the National Governors Association, and NASA on issues in undergraduate STEM...
Dr. Jan Lenaerts

Jan Lenaerts

Dr. Jan Lenaerts has worked with LAs since Spring 2019 as a Lead Faculty for ATOC 1050.

Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Leadership and Service

Excellence in faculty leadership and service is defined as all of those professional activities other than teaching and research that are performed by faculty members as part of their University responsibilities or as community outreach (internal, external, or both kinds of service).

Seth Hornstein with award

Seth Hornstein

Dr. Hornstein has worked with LAs since Fall 2007 as a Lead Faculty for ASTR 1010, 1200, 1020, and 2600, and serves as the Departmental Coordinator for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences.

Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogy

This award recognizes the importance of teaching and mentoring students as significant components of faculty duties.

Heather Lewandowski

Heather Lewandowski

Dr. Lewandowski has worked with LAs since Spring 2014 as a Lead Faculty for PHYS 1140 and 3300.

Marinus Smith Award Winners

The Marinus Smith Award recognizes faculty and staff members who have had a particularly positive impact on our students. Honorees are nominated by those they teach, mentor, support and serve.

Ellen Broering

Ellen Broering

Dr. Broering has worked with LAs since Fall 2021, as a lead instructor for CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1133.
Lisa Corwin

Lisa Corwin

Dr. Corwin has worked with LAs since Fall 2017, as a lead instructor for EBIO 1010 and 2040.
Kristin Swisher

Kristin Swisher

Ms. Swisher has worked with LAs since Spring 2021, as a lead instructor for BCOR 1030.

2020

Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Leadership and Service

Excellence in faculty leadership and service is defined as all of those professional activities other than teaching and research that are performed by faculty members as part of their University responsibilities or as community outreach (internal, external, or both kinds of service).

Silva Chang

Silva Chang

Dr. Chang has worked with LAs since Fall 2009 as a Lead Faculty for APPM 1340, 1345, 1350, and 1360.

Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogy

This award recognizes the importance of teaching and mentoring students as significant components of faculty duties.

Heidi Day

Heidi Day

Dr. Day has worked with LAs since Fall 2015 in NRSC 2200 and serves a a co-Departmental Coordinator for Psychology and Neuroscience.
David Brain

David Brain

Dr. Brain has worked with LAs since Fall 2015 in ASTR 1030 and 3720.

Marinus Smith Award Winners

The Marinus Smith Award recognizes faculty and staff members who have had a particularly positive impact on our students. Honorees are nominated by those they teach, mentor, support and serve.

William Kuskin

William Kuskin

Dr. Kuskin has worked with LAs since Fall 2020 as a Lead Faculty for "Comics" ENGL 3856 and ENES 3843.
Iona Fleming

Iona Fleming

Dr. Fleming has worked with LAs since Fall 2020 as a Lead Faculty for CSCI 1300.