June 5, 2023
Shawnee State University has announced the 2023 Faculty Awards. As part of this year’s presentation, the recipient of the Board of Trustees Distinguished Teaching Award is Professor Amy France. The Program Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at SSU, Professor France has been with the university since 2001.
“’Throughout a student’s experience in the Respiratory Therapy program, Amy is a part of every aspect from didactic work to clinical and laboratory requirements.’” SSU Provost Sunil Ahuja read from France’s award nomination letter while presenting the award during the Spring Commencement ceremony. “’Every aspect of the curriculum is touched by Amy and her unique ability to create new ways to help students understand. Student success is always her top priority. She demonstrates daily her ability to produce respiratory therapists who are sought after nationally. Shawnee State is lucky to have a dedicated instructor willing to do what is necessary for students to succeed in tomorrow’s world.’”
An alumna of SSU, Professor France received her Associate in Applied Sciences in Respiratory Therapy in 1998 before then receiving a Bachelor of Individualized Studies from SSU concentrated in Health Management in 2001. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Adult & Technical Education in 2010. Before becoming an instructor at SSU, she worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at Southern Ohio Medical Center before then becoming a traveling Respiratory Therapist in both North Carolina and Ohio. In 2001, she became an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for the Respiratory Therapy program and transitioned to a Full-Time Coordinator and Director of Clinical Education in 2006. In 2010, she became the Director of the Respiratory Therapy program and serves on various planning and steering committees within the university for her program and the greater benefit of SSU.
“It is truly an honor to receive the Board of Trustees Distinguished Teaching Award,” said France. “I have been teaching at SSU for over 17 years and have been a Respiratory Therapist for 25 years. I am extremely proud of what I have achieved in both professions. As a first-generation college student, I never dreamed I would be where I am today, and I hope to help others along their path.”
Professor France is a member of the American Association for Respiratory Care, the National Board for Respiratory Care, and the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care.
The SSU Board of Trustees Distinguished Teaching Award is presented to an instructor who makes a significant impact on their students by engaging with them in a meaningful way while providing excellent teaching and contributions to higher education.