Feature Stories
Felix N. Ngassa
Dr. Felix Ngassa, ’07 is associate professor of chemistry at Grand Valley State University. He has served as a member of the faculty since 2003. His primary role at the University is teaching Organic Chemistry lectures and labs and conducting research with undergraduate students.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Yaoundé in his native Cameroon, Felix started his career at St. Joseph’s College Sasse Buea, Cameroon, where he taught chemistry and physics at the high school level. In 1997, he traveled half way across the world to study chemistry at the University of North Dakota where he earned his Ph.D. in Organic and Physical Chemistry. While at the University of North Dakota, Felix was also a teaching assistant.
Dr. Ngassa’s career at Grand Valley began in 2003 as a visiting assistant professor. Six years later he earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of chemistry at GVSU. He teaches a variety of courses in the organic division within the Department of Chemistry. In 2007, Dr. Ngassa received his Master of Business Administration from the Seidman College of Business.
For several years, Dr. Ngassa has dedicated countless hours of his time to undergraduate students and their research. His students explain his teaching methods as exemplary yet challenging, and many confide in him as a mentor.
The author of more than 30 published abstracts and peer reviewed articles, Dr. Ngassa supports science education outside the classroom as well. He is an event supervisor in the Michigan Science Olympiad State Tournament; a table leader in the Advanced Placement Chemistry Exam administered by the College Board; a member of the Students and Alumni Affairs Committee within the GVSU Department of Chemistry; and the editor of the department’s newsletter.
In addition to this year’s Outstanding Educator Award, Dr. Ngassa has previously been recognized as Professor of the Year, has received the Excellence in Teaching Award, the GVSU InterFraternity Council Professor of the Month, and several other notable honors.
Dr. Ngassa resides in East Lansing with his wife, Coretta Fernandes-Ngassa and their four children, Bruna, Elizabeth, Sebastian, and Dominic.
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