Teaching Academy New Fellows and Imhoff Awards
Li Yang, the 2023 Imhoff Award recipient.
The U of A Teaching Academy inducted eight new Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year. The new Fellows are Ryan Calabretta-Sajder, Hope Christiansen, Chris Estepp, Rogelio Garcia Contreras, Dobrina Jandik, Suzanne Kucharczyk, Dale Thompson and Heather Walker.
The academy also named two finalists and the recipient of the 2023 Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship. The Imhoff Award, presented annually by the Teaching Academy, recognizes faculty who excel in teaching introductory courses and mentoring students.
IMHOFF AWARD WINNER
The 2023 Imhoff Award recipient is Li Yang. Yang is a faculty member in the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department of the Fulbright College of Arts and Science. Her teaching philosophy focuses on the process of providing students with pathways that connect their experiences to the knowledge taught in her classroom.
Yang teaches Elementary Chinese, Intermediate Chinese and Chinese Culture and Film, to name a few. Her student comments are reflective of a faculty member that is dynamic, thoughtful, caring and always puts students first. Improvement is always at the forefront of Yang’s adventure in the classroom. She embraces student feedback as a vehicle for the enhancement of her pedagogical methods. Yang has also mentored students in several capacities including study abroad in China, as the faculty RSO supervisor for the Chinese Language and Cultural Club and through the development of Chinese cultural events in her department.
IMHOFF AWARD FINALISTS
The teaching academy also recognizes two Imhoff Award finalists for 2023.
Carole Shook is a teaching associate professor of Information Systems at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. She teaches courses that include Business Information Systems, Business Analytics and Visualization, Supply Chain Management and honors thesis. Shook encourages her students to master the skills in her classes, adhere to professional standards and utilize effective communication in all that they do. These benchmarks serve as the foundation for her courses and have guided students through the complexities of information systems and data analytics. In addition to teaching, Shook has participated in mentoring activities that have aided students as they progressed towards their professional careers. Her teaching and mentorship have been recognized through countless awards including the Walton College Outstanding Teaching Award, Chi Omega Outstanding Teaching Award, U of A Outstanding RSO Adviser and Outstanding Mentor Award through the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.
Richard Cassady is a University Professor of Industrial Engineering at the College of Engineering. He has taught courses that range from Quality Engineering and Management to Dynamic Programing. In addition, Cassady also developed and taught Introduction to Industrial Engineering since 2003, which is the gateway course for students interested in joining the program. He has spent countless hours mentoring students both in and outside the walls of the university. He served as the director of the first-year engineering program for 17 years and mentored K-12 students as they prepared and participated in robotics competitions. As a testament to his incredible abilities as both a teacher and mentor, Cassady has earned awards that include the Holzman Distinguished Educator Award, Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award and the Dean’s Award of Excellence.
TEACHING ACADEMY INDUCTEES
Ryan Calabretta-Sajder is an associate professor of Italian in the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches 15 different courses using his innovative teaching techniques to address the different learning styles of his students. His students have indicated that he has a unique ability to make learning both fun and challenging. Calabretta-Sajder also provides students with unique opportunities to practice speaking Italian in social settings that include Italian club, Italian conversation table and Italian cooking club. He has been honored with the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Teachers of Italian.
Hope Christiansen is an associate professor of French in the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. She has developed and taught 13 undergraduate and seven graduate courses in French. Christiansen has utilized practical experiences to excite students both in and outside the walls of the university about French. These programs include a study abroad program to France and an afterschool program for students at Root Elementary. As a testament to her dedication to teaching, Christiansen has been awarded the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award, the Fulbright College Outstanding Adviser Award and two Golden Tusk Awards.
Chris Estepp is an associate professor of agricultural education in the Agriculture Education, Communications and Technology Department at the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences. Estepp teaches six different courses in agriculture education. His expertise in teaching is recognized by the many professional development experiences that he has developed and implemented for his colleagues and faculty across campus. Estepp has participated in outreach efforts that inspire continued education, such as his podcast for high school agriculture teachers. He has earned awards for his commitment to exemplary teaching and research which include the AAAE Southern Region Distinguished Teacher Educator award, John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award and NACTA Teaching Scholar Award.
Rogelio Garcia Contreras is a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Garcia-Contreras teaches courses that include Social Entrepreneurship, Global Business and an honors course titled Social Innovation Strategies. His instructional styles coupled with his passion for teaching are what draws students to the subject matter of his courses. Garcia Contreras has taken his teaching and expertise to the world stage by co-developing the Arkansas Global Changemakers, which embraces community development. His outstanding teaching has been recognized through awards that include the Outstanding Contributions to Service-Learning Teaching Award and the Walton College Executive M.B.A. Teacher of the Year Award.
Dobrina Jandik is a teaching associate professor in the Finance Department and is the director of the Global Engagement Office of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. She teaches international finance, financial markets/institutions and an honors colloquium. Through these classes, Jandik’s students get a unique perspective as to how current global issues impact financial markets. Her commitment to mentoring future financial professionals is evident in her ongoing work with a student group that she started called Women in Finance. In addition, she has served as an honors thesis adviser, where she continually guides her students through complex questions and analysis. As an exemplary teacher, Jandik was awarded the Walton College Teaching Award in 2022.
Suzanne Kucharczyk is an associate professor of special education and interim department head in the Curriculum and Instruction Department of the College of Education and Health Professions. She teaches courses that include Professional and Family Practices, Career Development and Transition for People with Disabilities, and Inclusive Practices for Diverse Populations. Kucharczyk’s students identify her courses as challenging, but also feel extremely prepared as future special education professionals. In addition to working with students, Kucharczyk has spent countless hours working with colleagues to enhance their pedagogical skills. As a testament to her giving nature, she was presented with the 2023 Outstanding Mentor Award from the Provost’s Office. Finally, Kucharczyk’s teaching was recognized through four College of Education and Health Professions Faculty STAR awards.
Dale Thompson is a professor and associate department head in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department of the College of Engineering. He teaches courses that include Computer Networks, Wireless System Security and Network Security. Thompson continually assesses the currency of his department’s courses and has earned grants to develop curriculum that addresses real-world challenges in computer technology. As a mentor, he has guided students through all parts of their educational adventure. In 2016, Thompson established a student group called Cyber Hogs that focuses on preparing students for a cyber security competition. His student comments reflect a teacher that provides in-depth guidance, so students are able to apply the knowledge from the course. Thompson has earned numerous awards for his teaching that include the College of Engineering’s Imhoff Outstanding Teaching Award and the CSCE Teacher of the Year Award.
Heather Walker is a teaching assistant professor and associate department head of the undergraduate program in the Chemical Engineering Department at the College of Engineering. She teaches thermodynamics courses that serve engineering students and students from other colleges. Her expertise in the classroom is supported by the many positive responses from students who have completed her courses. Walker spends countless hours as an advocate for her students. This includes those who need additional assistance to be successful in her courses and in the professional experiences they have beyond the university. Her innovative teaching is supported by the many honors she has received, including the Wally Cordes “Chair of the Month,” and has earned Outstanding Teaching Awards in the College of Engineering, ASEE Midwest Section and in the Chemical Engineering Department.
This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.