News and Information
GSA Faculty Awards Announced for Fall 2021 Semester
December 08, 2021
Each year the Graduate Student Association (GSA) asks graduate
students to nominate faculty members that have made an impact upon
them in a variety of ways. For the Winter 2021 semester, faculty
members were nominated for each of the three awards: the GSA Faculty
Mentor Award, GSA Outstanding Teaching Award and the Kimboko Inclusion
Award. Each nominee exemplified leadership and teaching qualities that
set them apart through the eyes of graduate students, therefore, they
deserve to be recognized and appreciated for their hard work and
caring attitudes.
KIMBOKO INCLUSION AWARD
College of Health Professions
Dr. Jennifer Fortuna, Department of Occupational Health and
Safety
Nominated by: Jenna Asper, Kyra Chase, Laura Matney, Kayleigh
Thomas, Occupational Science and Therapy
Dr. Fortuna has demonstrated compassion and motivation to elicit change in the community and has made it her mission to provide a voice to individuals oftentimes left unheard. Furthermore, she has inspired us to advocate for underrepresented populations and has provided us with the tools and knowledge to do so, which is why we believe she is the ideal candidate to receive this award
GSA FACULTY MENTOR AWARD
College of Health Professions
Professor Elizabeth Fausone, Department of Communication
Sciences and Disorders
Nominated by: Emily Reynolds, Speech-Language Pathology
Emily writes "Professor Fausone has immensely contributed to my
growth and confidence as a clinician with her continuous support and
knowledge. She has seamlessly faded required supports systematically
to aid in our transition to becoming independent clinicians while
maintaining an accessible presence. She genuinely cares for each of
her mentees.”
Dr. Heather Wallace, Department of Public Health
Nominated by: Hava Topolski, Public Health
Hava writes, “We nominate Dr. Wallace because she not only prepares
graduate students for their career in Public Health, but she truly
cares for their mental wellbeing while obtaining their master’s
degree. Her mentees report that she has been nothing but attentive to
their needs as well as being readily available and offering useful
advice to students up for success.”
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dr. Kristin Renkema, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Nominated by: Nick Bunda, Biomedical Sciences
Nick writes, “I’ve had the great fortune of conducting my thesis research in Dr. Renkema’s lab. When we met, I pitched her a grandiose research idea requiring expensive cancer treatments and hundreds of mice. Instead of immediately pointing out the obvious flaws, she encouraged and refined my idea. She has never dismissed my lofty goals."
GSA OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
College of Education & Community Innovation
Dr. Donijo Robbins,
School of Public, Nonprofit, Health, Hospitality and Tourism
Management
Nominated by: GlenEllen Lehmberg, Public Administration
Dr. Robbins is an exemplary professor who goes above and beyond in
teaching, even in an online format. Her online classes were just as
engaging and worthwhile as they would be in person. These assignments
are grounded in making sure that students are ready to thrive in their
careers after they graduate from Grand Valley State University.
College of Health Professions
Dr. Srihimaja Nandamudi, Department of Communication Sciences
and Disorders
Nominated by: Delanie King, Speech-Language Pathology
Delanie writes, “Dr. Nandamudi has had more of an effect on my life than she knows. She constantly strives to create inclusive environments and encourages all others to do the same. While Dr. Nandamudi’s classes are always a challenge, I find that the hard work required always leads to a deeper understanding in ways that, as a student, I did not know were possible for myself."
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dr. Jennifer More, Department of Biology
Nominated by: Sarah Ansbro, Biology
Dr. Moore repeatedly demonstrates a vested interest in her students’
success in the form of readily available help, engaging coursework,
and unbiased, concise exam questions. It is so easy to be infected by
the passion that she radiates while teaching both in the classroom and
in the field.