NDSU’s Graduate School and the Office of Teaching and Learning partnered to offer an Excellence in Instruction Award to recognize graduate teaching assistants for their efforts to improve teaching and learning on campus. Two winners were selected by a panel of NDSU instructors from 17 nominations.
The recipients are:
Garrett Byron, Psychology, doctorate program
Stephanie Lemmer, English, doctorate program
Nominators praised Lemmer for her versatility in teaching almost every course in the NDSU vertical curriculum writing program, first-year writing to upper division courses. Lisa Arnold, associate professor of English, noted in her nomination of Lemmer, "Stephanie is an extremely serious, thoughtful, and committed instructor. She volunteers to take on new courses because she desires to consistently develop her teaching skills in a range of contexts."
Lemmer works as a community builder on campus and beyond, encouraging an inclusive learning environment.
Byron received similar praises from nominators for his teaching in the psychology program. Clayton Hilmert, associate professor of psychology, described Byron as "clearly showing he has the essential skills of developing collegial relationships with students and responding in a clear, helpful manner to serve their needs."
Byron has taught a variety of courses within the program and demonstrated creativity and integrity in delivering excellence for NDSU students.
Awards were presented in a special ceremony in early April at the NDSU GradHub in the Main Library. The event was one of several activities by the NDSU Graduate School to celebrate National Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week.
Also nominated for their impact on the campus:
Alexandra Rowe
Arun Govindankutty
Arvin Samadi
Charles Fabijanic
Emily Hackerson
Jonathan Nguyen
Lauren Hengel
Lauren Drotts
Leah Wolden
Matthew Goldsmith
Md Shariful Islam
Philip Salu
Rica Saludares
Subashini Varadharajan
Tyler Waltz
Award recipients also will be recognized at the annual Teaching and Learning Conference on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, as well as at the annual Graduate Teaching and Learning Conference on Monday, August 14, 2023.
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