CAS Faculty Had a Great 2018-19

Professors in the College of Arts & Sciences made the 2018-19 academic year great for our students, campus, and community. Whether it is teaching, research, or collaboration across departments and campuses, it seems like our faculty can do it all.

The following are just a few of the accolades our teacher-scholars have received for their work over the past year. Many of these awards were part of the Celebration of Teaching & Research, held by the Thompson Center for Learning & Teaching and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs.

UM-FLINT FACULTY AND STAFF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Of the seven 2019 Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards, CAS faculty across six departments earned them all. These seven recipients will be honored at the Fall Academic Affairs Convocation scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2019 in the UM-Flint Theater.

• Distinguished Service Award: Shelby Newport (Theatre/Dance)
• Teaching Excellence Award: Stephanie Roach (English)
• Scholarly or Creative Achievement Award: Terrence Horgan (Psychology)
• Dr. Lois Matz Rosen Junior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award: Halil Bisgin (Computer Science & Information Systems)
• Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Junior Faculty Award: Emily Feuerherm (English)
• Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Senior Faculty Award: Jessica Tischler (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
• Dorothea E. Wyatt Award: Jennifer Alvey (Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice)

PROVOST TEACHING INNOVATION PRIZE

Four faculty members received this award, which recognizes those who have developed a creative or innovative project that enhances student learning. Projects include:

-Helping Computer Science students make the connection between academics and business, engaging the community in a first-year experience course,

-Using cloud-based collaboration software to increase student engagement, collaboration, and learning.

CATALYST COURSE DESIGN

This program assists faculty in creating high-impact, engaged learning opportunities in their courses. Four CAS faculty made their classes more engaging with this grant in Winter 2019.

LEO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

This program provides financial support for professional development activities that enhance the teaching of lecturers. Eight CAS faculty members received funding to improve their educational practice.

New for this year, awards were available from the LEO Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Fund. Four CAS faculty members were granted this award to make their classes an even better learning environment for all.

FACULTY LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Six faculty members were participants across three learning communities, which are interdisciplinary and cross-institution outlets for professional growth. CAS professors were involved with “Critical Inclusive Pedagogies, “Engagement of Students in Undergraduate Research,” and “Service Learning Across the Disciplines.”

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Four CAS professors received TCLT Faculty Development Grants to enhance their coursework, attend conferences, or carry out research projects

GOLDEN APPLES

A total of 93 Golden Apples were awarded to the CAS faculty in 2018-19. Students nominate professors for their work in teaching, advising, and mentoring.

MCUBED

MCubed provides seed funding across all three UM campuses to self-organized, multi-unit, faculty-led teams. Fifteen CAS faculty members are working in eight cubes, on topics ranging from “Iron transport across the blood/brain barrier” to “Using social media to understand public perception of the Flint Water Crisis.”

RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY AWARDS

Four CAS faculty members received funding to lead projects that foster cooperation across campus and provide research opportunities for students. Some examples include:

-Organic Farming Duration and its Relationship to Soil Health

-US and the War on Terror in Sub-Saharan Africa: Paradox and Prospects

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANT AWARDS

Ten CAS faculty members who were invited to participate an international conference received this award.

CAS OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANTS

Three faculty members received CAS Opportunity Fund Grants. They are using this funding to attend professional conferences and purchase equipment for use in research.

We can’t wait to see what our faculty will accomplish next year!