Faculty, staff honored by College of Education

By Communications staff, Washington State University

The WSU College of Education this week bestowed its top awards for 2009 on a faculty member known for her work with the homeless, another praised for building learning communities, and a development officer cited for her cheerful competence.

Employees at all four WSU campuses are eligible for the annual awards.

 
The Excellence in Service Award was presented to Susan Finley, an associate professor in the Department of Teaching & Learning at WSU Vancouver.

Finley, who researches the educational needs of homeless children, combines her scholarly interest with activism. In 2002, she founded At Home At School, which offers educational support to underserved children and their families. She oversees and raises funds for the project, which provides opportunities for WSU teacher-preparation students to work with the homeless.

She also offers her expertise and time to other organizations that help the homeless.

 
The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Michael Pavel, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology in Pullman. In his 16 years with the college, he has developed and taught eight new courses and regularly teaches core courses required of all students.

His student evaluation scores average 4.7 on a 5.0 scale. His goal, according to his nominator, “is to create learning communities where we all learn from each other.” At least three of his former students who secured faculty positions after graduation have received teaching awards and credited him with their effectiveness as instructors.

Pavel is a widely published scholar on the subject of Native American education.

 
The Staff Excellence Award was presented to Kim Holapa, the Pullman-based director of development. Her nominators credited her efforts, and her close collaboration with Dean Judy Mitchell, with raising a record amount of funds for the College of Education.

“Kim always seems open to new ideas and builds upon each connection and experience,” the nominators wrote. “It’s impressive that she was able to earn her master’s degree in higher education administration while succeeding at a demanding job.” 

Winners of the college’s campus and departmental awards are:

Collaboration and Networking (Spokane): Academic Director Joan Kingrey

Collaboration and Networking (Pullman): Chris Sodorff, director of field services and student teaching, and director of student services

Collaboration and Networking (Tri-Cities): Associate Professor Amy Roth McDuffie

Collaboration and Networking (Vancouver): Assistant Professor Jason Margolis

Mentoring (Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology): Professor Larry Bruya, Pullman

Mentoring (Teaching & Learning): Assistant Professor Jane Kelley, Pullman

External Funding (Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology): Dennis Warner, director of the High School Equivalency Program, Pullman

External Funding (Teaching & Learning) Professor David Slavit, Vancouver.

Service to the Profession (Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology): Professor Gay Selby, Vancouver
Service to the Profession (Teaching & Learning): Academic Director June Canty, Vancouver.

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