The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s annual Faculty and Staff Recognition program was held Friday, May 8, with faculty and staff being honored for their service and commitment to the university. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held online.
The Community Engagement Award was given to Richard Stewart, professor of transportation and logistics management and director of the Transportation and Logistics Research Center. This recognition is open to any employee of the university. Community engagement involves faculty, staff, and/or students and one of more community partners collaborating on projects that have both a positive social impact and support opportunities to conduct research or teach or encourage student learning. The recipient’s efforts will have made a significant impact on students and in meeting community identified needs.
Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander received the Community Partnership Award. This is open to an agency, organization, or business that has been an outstanding partner with UW-Superior.
Professor of history Joel Sipress received the Excellence in Scholarship/Creativity Award. This award is presented to any faculty or academic staff whose scholarly efforts have made a significant contribution to their field of study or area of practice.
Nathan LaCoursiere, senior lecture for human behavior, justice and diversity, received the High Impact Practices Excellence Award. This award is open to anyone whose teaching appointment is half time or more and who has displayed excellence in mentoring undergraduate researchers, encouraged excellence in writing development, or fostered global travel or understanding.
The Inclusiveness Award was presented to operations program associate Trish Hegstrom-Olson for actions that consistently and visibly personify the spirit of diversity and inclusivity.
The Max H. Lavine Award was awarded to interdisciplinary studies assistant professor Amanda Zbacnik. This award is given for scholarly contributions to contemporary concerns. It is presented to a faculty member who has published a paper on a topic relevant to major problem areas in contemporary society. In 2019, Zbacnik and co-author M. Sharma published the book “Educators for Diverse Classrooms: A Case Study Approach to Equity and Inclusion in Education.”
Outstanding Mentor Awards went to Joe Mooney, men’s soccer coach, and Rubana Mahjabeen, assistant professor of economics. This recognition is for employees who have formally or informally demonstrated excellence as a mentor in encouraging and helping students to be successful.
Alison Wielgus, assistant professor, media studies, collected the Rising Star Award. This honor is open to tenure-track faculty members yet to achieve tenure and is based on excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Spirit of Superior Awards were presented to executive director of admissions Jeremy Nere, and assistant director of equity, diversity, and inclusion Salisa Hochstetler. This award is given to individuals or departments who actively demonstrate and model on a daily and consistent basis, the values of UW-Superior and as a result are making a difference in the campus climate and the lives of those who work and study on campus.
The Students’ Choice for Outstanding Teaching in an Online Program Award was given to Heather Kahler, senior lecture of mathematics. Based on student nominations, this award is meant for those providing instruction in programs fully online whose teaching promotes and exceptional learning experience.
Anne Robertson, senior lecturer of early childhood education, received the Students' Choice for Outstanding Teaching On-Campus Class Award. Based on student nominations, this award is meant for those providing instruction in programs on campus whose teaching promotes and exceptional learning experience.
Andy Blackwell, outreach and program manager, was the recipient of the Helping Hand Award. This recognition is open to anyone employed by the university whose work in helping others be successful in their work is exemplary.