CSU Stanislaus Provost James T. Strong recently announced the recipients of the Outstanding Professor Awards for the 2014-15 academic year.
Outstanding Professor: Heather Coughlin
Heather Coughlin, associate professor of mathematics, inspires and encourages her students with empathy, patience and support for their success. She endeavors to schedule office hours to accommodate students’ schedules. Their letters of support credit much of their success to her encouragement and willingness to ensure they understood the material. Coughlin’s colleagues similarly applaud her accomplishments, noting her fluency with current technology and her efforts to teach students how best to learn and prepare for courses. She is well respected by her colleagues, who praise her commitment to serving the campus and her overwhelming support for newly hired colleagues, several of whom view Coughlin as a mentor.
Outstanding Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Professor: Sari Miller-Antonio
Sari Miller-Antonio, professor of anthropology, has established herself as a distinguished scholar in the fields of biological anthropology, bioarcheology and forensics. Her many accomplishments include groundbreaking work in the excavation of Panxian Dadong, a large limestone cave in southern China. She has published and presented many significant scholarly articles and papers. Letters of support indicate her colleagues’ profound respect for her work.
Outstanding Community Service Professor: Janice Herring
Janice Herring, lecturer of kinesiology, is one of two recipients of the Outstanding Community Service Professor Award. Herring’s enthusiasm and dedication to our local community is commendable. Letters from colleagues, local elected leaders and a wide variety of community stakeholders emphasize their profound respect for her work. Some of her achievements in the community include leadership and participation in the Christmas Basket Project, Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival and the Hughson United Soccer League. She strives to include students in community service by her leadership in Phi Kappa Phi and the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Outstanding Community Service Professor: Susan Neufeld
Susan Neufeld, professor of advanced studies, is the other recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Professor Award. Neufeld’s enthusiasm and dedication to students and the local community is especially evident in her work as director of the Abundant Books for Children (ABC) Project. Her colleagues applaud her tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds to help children achieve the benefits of reading. Her colleagues’ and community partners’ heartfelt letters of support celebrate her achievements.
Outstanding Service in Faculty Governance Award: Lynn Johnson
Lynn Johnson, professor of accounting, has a distinguished 15-year record of participation in faculty governance, and the numerous nomination letters from her colleagues convey their profound respect for her tireless advocacy and collegial leadership. The letters carry the same themes: praise for her integrity, professionalism, willingness to seek solutions in the best interest of the University and its stakeholders, and the ability to navigate the most challenging situations with grace.
Elizabeth Anne B. Papageorge Faculty Development Award: Jennifer Strangfeld
Jennifer Strangfeld, assistant professor of sociology, is an exemplary teacher-scholar. Her colleagues applaud her thoughtful commitment and connection to students through her outstanding teaching, noteworthy scholarship, and service on campus and in the local community. Strangfeld offers meaningful contributions to a variety of campus and community service programs. Colleagues respect her commitment to new student orientations and her role as advisor of the Sociology Club, which conducts several activities intended to support the welfare of our local community. Through her efforts, students are making significant contributions to our region.