July 24, 2012

Shawnee State University has honored Jennifer Pauley, Ph.D., with the 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award after two students and a faculty member nominated her for the award.

"When I found out that I had been selected to receive the award, I was surprised and flattered," Pauley said. "There are so many dedicated and capable teachers at Shawnee State, so to have my teaching recognized among such a talented group is quite an honor."

Each year the Distinguished Teaching Award is given to acknowledge a full-time faculty member at SSU who exhibits the qualities of an outstanding instructor of undergraduates.

Full time students and faculty members will place their nominations with one of two academic deans, Timothy Scheurer, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or James Kadel, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies.

Each dean has a three-person panel of full-time faculty from his college to review the nominations and select no more than three finalists. The Faculty Affairs Committee will receive the nomination forms and invite the finalists to submit portfolios demonstrating their teaching excellence, then the committee will choose the year's honoree.

One student who nominated Pauley wrote: "… she (Pauley) has proven to be extremely guiding, encouragingly helpful, and a necessity to my success, which proves her to be a successful teacher in my eyes. … My appreciation for Dr. Pauley's dedication and excellence in teaching goes far beyond just what I have gained as a student and student worker at Shawnee State University."

A faculty member wrote: "Because she is accessible and approachable to her students, they are aware that even though she expects a great deal of them, they will have the support and assistance they need both during class instruction and one-on-one after class, to meet those expectations."