Each year, UM-Flint’s Provost honors faculty and staff who demonstrate the scope and quality of service to our profession, our students, and our community. This year, four CASE faculty were honored with awards for their contribution to the university.
Karen Caldwell, Education | Alvin D. Loving Junior Faculty Initiative Award
In honor of the first tenured minority faculty member on UM-Flint’s Campus, this award recognizes faculty who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, or research and courses that focus on issues affecting underrepresented populations.
“I am honored to receive an award bearing the name of Dr. Alvin D. Loving, one of the founding professors of the University of Michigan-Flint and the first Black full professor in the University of Michigan system,” Karen shared. “His legacy represents a significant milestone in this university’s history, and I am mindful of that history in receiving this award. My teaching and research are grounded in critical literacy within social studies education, with a focus on preparing future teachers to engage in historical thinking, consider multiple perspectives, and examine dominant narratives that have often marginalized or excluded certain voices and experiences. This commitment informs my work with preservice teachers and my broader engagement with the Flint community. I am grateful for this recognition and for the support of my students, colleagues, and mentors, whose contributions have made this work possible.”
Kimberly Saks, Political Science | Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes outstanding faculty performance at UM-Flint, including service to the university, in the community, and in professional organizations.
“I am honored and humbled to have won the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes the work that I put into helping provide a better experience on campus for students and faculty through my various commitments and programs. This recognition matters to me because service work is often overlooked, so being recognized for it is truly fulfilling and reminds me of the good it can do,” Kim said. “To me, service means making the world around us a better place. My work with students outside the classroom is some of the most challenging, but also the most rewarding, work I do. Knowing that people see this and recognize it matters not just for me, but for others who do service work as well. We all need a reminder that this work is important, visible, and recognized.”
Amanda Smith, Psychology | Teaching Excellence Award
This award focuses on the recipient’s teaching philosophy, course development, and pedagogical innovations, and qualifies them to serve on the Thompson Center for Learning and Teaching Advisory Committee for three years.
“Being nominated by colleagues for the Teaching Excellence Award is especially meaningful because I work alongside truly exceptional faculty every day,” shared Amanda. “Recognition from them and ultimately from the Provost affirms that my efforts to strengthen student retention and success are valued and impactful. Sharing this honor with my parents at the ceremony also brought my family tremendous pride. As a UM-Flint alum, I believe in our students’ ability to contribute meaningfully to their communities. This award strengthens my confidence and commitment to student-centered teaching that opens minds to new perspectives, encourages critical inquiry, builds connections, and supports each student’s success.”
Amanda Taylor, Psychology | Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize
Selected by the Office of the Provost, Office of Online and Digital Education, and the Thompson Center for Learning and Teaching, this award recognizes UM-Flint faculty who have developed a creative or innovative project or approach that enhances student learning.
“I was delighted to receive the 2026 Provost Innovation Prize because it affirms that small, intentional changes in course design can have a meaningful impact on the day-to-day experiences of students and faculty, and that inclusivity and accessibility are deeply valued here at UM-Flint,” Amanda said. “I am grateful for an administration that recognizes and celebrates this everyday pedagogical work and supports faculty as we extend that same support to our students. This recognition encourages me to continue developing inclusive, universally accessible, and autonomy-supportive pedagogy rooted in respect for students, which is, to me, one of the more powerful ways we can support our students as they become our future leaders.”
