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GSA Faculty Awards Announced for Fall 2021 Semester

December 08, 2021

GSA Faculty Awards Announced for Fall 2021 Semester

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.

 

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Page last modified December 8, 2021