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The Student Choice: Outstanding Faculty Award gives Weber State students another opportunity to nominate and vote for a faculty member they believe should be recognized for their work as a teacher.
To read the student's testimonial, click on the faculty member's name.
"He goes above and beyond to fortify concepts for students. He memorizes every single students’ name before the first day of class which creates the sense of value you feel when you take a class taught by him. The classes aren’t just about learning for tests but about learning how to use your knowledge in the real world. He provides many outside resources for students to use in real life."
"Dr. Armstrong sincerely cares about his students. He is excited when we ask questions (no matter how many) and he loves teaching about astronomy. He goes above and beyond by weaving philosophy into his lectures, and he wanted to see what it was like to be a student a post-COVID world, so he signed up for ceramics classes. He is a joy to listen to and learn from."
"She is so willing to help you understand what she’s teaching. Physics can be a hard and overwhelming class, so having a teacher that wants you to succeed and gives you the opportunity to do so is a game changer."
"She goes above and beyond what she needs to as a professor. She is always kind and compassionate when approaching her with questions about research or biochem. She expects her students to do well but wants to help them succeed! She puts in a lot of effort to her material to make sure it’s up to date and relevant for us."
"He is a very nice instructor and goes out of his way to give you encouragement in your writings. He is super organized and his assignments are easy to follow and understand, which is helpful in an online class."
Out of three nominations
"Greg went the absolute extra mile to make sure we felt that we belonged at WSU. He taught us, and explained everything very thoroughly and always made us feel understood. He acknowledged that we all struggle, and tried to help us through our assignments no matter what. He was always encouraging us to be ourselves, even having Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations. Our class loved him so much, we celebrated his birthday on the last day of class and we still visit him in his office to show our gratitude and ask him for help!"
"He is very passionate about what he teaches and puts in effort to make the class interesting and easy to navigate. The class is conducive to learning to the full extent."
Out of 11 nominations
"I would like to nominate Heather Clark for the nomination for the Outstanding Faculty Member Award. She is not just a great teacher, but she's truly inspiring. She has a way of making even the toughest nursing concepts clear and understandable, always connecting lessons to real-life practice. She has created an atmosphere of acceptance, where I can feel comfortable reaching out for help, if needed. Her passion for nursing is contagious, and she pushes us to think, grow & believe in ourselves.
Beyond being incredibly smart, she is supportive, encouraging and just plain cool! She makes learning fun and her energy keeps us all engaged, even on the hardest days. Nursing school is tough, but having an instructor like Heather makes all the difference. She feels like an ally in war! ;) It's awesome to know that I get to have the opportunity to rub shoulders and learn from Heather during my time in nursing school.
For her knowledge, dedication, and the way she lifts up her students, I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition."
"Dr. Dawson is always so kind and encouraging. She always makes sure we are doing our best and goes above and beyond with tapt as well. She makes sure you understand and will schedule a meeting quick to make sure you get what you need, as well as fixing mistakes on assignments in a timely manner and emailing. When I look back on my teachers as a kid, I remember their kindness and willingness to help, not necessarily what they taught me 10 years ago. Dr. Dawson will be a professor I remember for many years and remember her kindness and empathy."
"He expressed a genuine interest in the material and in teaching it. He actually cares about each student doing well in the class and goes above and beyond to take care of each student. He asks the class what they prefer and makes an effort to tailor the class structure to the needs of the class."
"Dr. Dunn is by far one of the most caring Professors I’ve ever had. He is genuinely kind and clearly wants the best for each of his students. I’ve had many conversations with classmates about how encouraging he is and how clear it is that he wants us to be successful. He goes above and beyond to help in any way he can, whether that is taking time out of his personal life to do a Zoom call with your group, or taking the time to walk you through processing data in SPSS. He is happy to help and never makes you feel like an inconvenience. In addition he is very charismatic and goes out of his way to make each student feel seen and like they belong in his classroom! I can tell he is passionate about his job and loves the work he does. I have so much respect for Dr. Dunn and the care he puts into his position. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more!!"
"The other day during a sporting event a student athlete needed his injury evaluated. After evaluating his injury and reporting to the ATC the ATC did an evaluation on him. She came to the same conclusion I did. In that moment my gratitude and appreciation for Dr. G was tangible. Though his classes are difficult, his tough love has prepared us to be the best we can. He truly wants us to succeed and will meet with you when you are struggling. His feedback is honest and constructive providing insights on how to improve. He is also more than just an educator. He inspires us to push past our comfort zone and even joins us in the journey. Dr. G pushes you to improve intellectually but physically as well. It’s because of him so many of us learned we can stand up on one leg with the other “tied” behind our backs and he continues to find was for us to challenge our physical abilities. He is a no fluff professor meaning he prepares you for reality which may be unfair sometimes, but has toughened us up to prepare for difficulties with grace ahead. Thank you, Dr. G for being a stellar teacher! We all appreciate your dedication to us."
"He genuinely cares about his students and cares about their success. I would take him for all my classes if I could. "
"I know she wants all of her students to succeed, and she puts an effort into my education. There have been multiple times where I have been in a pickle and she has been very kind and understanding, and when I need help, she is always available, even after school hours. She truly is a great professor and I do not know how I would've gotten through the Nursing Program without her."
"Suzy took time to truly get to know every one of her students. She knew all of us by name and knew fun little facts about us. She celebrated our achievements with us and comforted us when we didn't do as good as we were hoping on an exam. Suzy is dedicated to her students and she wants to see all of then succeed. During the semester she had a handful of family members pass and go through medical emergencies, even during these times she made herself available for her students so that we can meet and talk through anything that we had questions on. She truly is the BEST nursing instructor that I have had."
"I would like to nominate this outstanding professor for their exceptional dedication to teaching and student success. They possess remarkable teaching skills, making complex concepts easy to understand while engaging students in meaningful discussions. Their student-centered approach ensures that every voice is heard, as they actively listen to students and adjust their teaching methods to support individual learning styles. Beyond being an educator, they serve as an inspirational mentor, encouraging students to reach their full potential and offering guidance both inside and outside the classroom. Their passion for the subject is evident, creating an enthusiastic and dynamic learning environment.
This professor is also incredibly supportive and approachable, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help. They employ innovative teaching methods to enhance understanding and engagement, ensuring that students remain actively involved in their education. Their commitment to student success is evident in the encouragement and support they provide, helping students excel academically and personally. Additionally, they are dedicated to continuous professional growth, always seeking ways to improve their teaching and stay updated in their field. Through their positive influence on the learning environment, they promote a culture of respect, curiosity, and collaboration. Above all, they go above and beyond, offering extra support, office hours, and valuable resources to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly believe they deserve this nomination."
"She is exceptionally polite and always eager to assist us students. She is always available to lend a helping hand and conducts numerous quizzes, making learning a fun and engaging experience."
"For the past 3 years, I have worked with Dr. Mocko doing undergraduate research. She has invested so much of her time helping me with our research every week. She is always so willing to help me with anything I need. I've also taken a few classes from her and she is a phenomenal teacher who really cares about her students. She has made a huge impact on my time here at Weber and she has taught me so much. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about her and students I've talked to love her classes as well. Dr. Mocko always goes above and beyond to help me and other students which is why she deserves this award."
"Dr. Nilsson always made class and lab fun and uplifting. I never felt like a failure or incapable of succeeding. If I needed help or advice I knew I could talk to him and he would be happy to do so. You can tell he truly loves teaching and cares about the students! Weber State is so lucky to have him!!!"
"Dr. Parkman truly always goes above and beyond to support her students. I’m not even her student anymore but if I have questions for her, she will take time out of her very busy day to answer my questions. Once she has an hour long meeting with me simply because I wanted to talk with her about med school. She’s not a pre med advisor. But she still took time to give me the information I needed because I asked. She’ll still stop and say hi to me in the hall and ask how I’m doing. I truly consider myself lucky that I got to be her student."
"I'm not really a video game person, but Dan made me feel included when we had discussions about the video games we were playing and he made sure I was doing okay and if I needed any help.
My dog had some serious medical issues come up during the semester and I missed a LOT of class and homework. I was too worried about my dog so I didn't attend class, let alone even open up Canvas. Dan reached out to me when he noticed when I was not attending class and falling behind on my assignments. I told him the situation that was going on at home and he was SO understanding. My dog is very important in my life and it meant the world that he cared. He asked if I needed any help with the assignments, and I accepted. For the rest of the semester I struggled, all the way up until the very end. He helped me figure out what to write about for my final papers and he gave me a massive extension at the end of the semester. If I didn't make ends meet with my grades last semester, I would have been suspended this semester due to my poor GPA. With Dan's help, I was able to get in all/most of my work in for my other classes, and all of the final assignments and the extra credit for Dan's class. He kept checking in on me, telling me to not be afraid if I ever had any questions. He was extremely kind to me and was very accommodating. I've had some kind professors in the past, but Dan went above and beyond for me. I've never felt so cared for by a professor until Dan helped me out. I don't think he knows how grateful I am for him and his kindness last semester. "
Out of two nominations
"Jessica goes above and beyond for her students. She always had a fun and creative activity for class to adapt to different learning styles. She was always willing to meet with students to go over content or tests. She has the happiest attitude. She has a great passion for nursing and pushed her students to do their best. She is a huge advocate for mental health and nurse burnout. This is not talked about enough and she was always willing to chat or help her students out in that regard. She also takes on a lot. She is teaching class, doing lab and simulation, and going to Clincals. She also helped cover capstone students for another instructor on maternity leave this semester. She always shows up and gives it her all. Her impact to my eduction will never be forgotten!"
"She is very supportive, accommodating to my disability, encouraging, and built my confidence up. I do research with her, on the otter project, and has given me amazing opportunities, even spending her own money to help me get to a research conference. Instead of getting recognition for herself, she gives her students the spotlight. Because of that, I have been interviewed by news outlets, such as Fox13. She is this way with all her student researchers, not just with mine. I know four other students on different research projects who have gotten just as much support. To me, she has become my favorite teacher of all time and I doubt anyone could take that spot."
"Sophie is a great instructor who listens to her students. In her class, you are never afraid to ask questions. She is kind and accepts people in her class, even if they are just beginners in guitar. When I joined her class, I only played chords, but she still accepted me. Thanks to her, I have become a better classical guitar player. She never says no to anyone who is willing to learn. She also gives us fun music to play, apart from classical pieces. Every Monday, she asks us what we did over the weekend. She treats us like friends. Despite her running around and being super busy, when you talk to her, she never makes you feel rushed. I look up to her as a role model for guitar playing.
Thank you, Sophie, for your patience and for teaching me guitar!"
Out of three nominations
"Dr. Tolman is a saint and one of the only reasons I am I am doing as well as I am in school. She is more than willing to help her students and is so responsive! When I found out I was pregnant, I thought about taking a leave of absence because I was afraid of doing my capstone/schooling on top of everything else. Dr. Tolman encouraged me to continue and has offered support when I needed it. Amazing professor!"
Out of three nominations
"She is amazing! She has taught me and the rest of my cohort for 4 semesters now and she has helped us so much. She takes the time to really slow down and help us all make sure we understand what is being taught. She tries her hardest to keep improving not only her classes, but also to improve the rest of the program as well. I love all of the teachers in the respiratory department, but I think Sherri is the glue that holds everything and everyone together. I don't know where we would all be without her!"
"Vigil not only invests in his students education but also invests in our well-being. He is someone who you can open up to and he will listen. I opened up to Vigil about my anxieties of the future, Vigil listened and reassured me that I am resilient and that if times ever got too rocky, I can always reach out to him. As a student who has overcome many boundaries I’ve never felt more seen by any of my teachers. Although he can be seen as a very powerful and intimidating figure in the social work progra,m he is extremely caring and sees potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself. He has unlocked a confidence in myself and I’m truly glad I have a professor that I know is rooting for me every step of the way!"
"I was struggling with pharmacology and thought I was going to fail! Jodi offered such amazing times that worked for me to meet about missed exam questions. She even started a whole list of continuous items to study and I passed my final with an A because of her!"
"Brent is an incredibly kind and wise individual. He makes sure to make every single student in his room feel not only heard but valued. He goes out of his way to take care of everyone and teaches incredible lessons. He did an exceptional job teaching his course but went above and beyond in the ways he taught. He would tell us stories and talk to us like we were friends rather than students. In his class I met my closest friends. He is an exceptional teacher and deserves recognition for his hard work."
"Dr. Watts is kind and inclusive. She is a great mentor and is passionate about her work along with helping students grow through various avenues. Dr. Watts is community oriented and this shows through her actions and teaching. She makes sure every individual has space to be seen and heard."
Out of two nominations
"Dr. West is an outstanding faculty member because he empowers students to apply their knowledge practically, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. His dedication to student success extends to going out of his way to provide support, while his engaging teaching style makes classes both enjoyable and enriching. This combination of practical focus, individualized support, and an enjoyable learning environment significantly enhances students' understanding and prepares them for professional success."
Out of two nominations
"I would like to nominate this outstanding professor for their exceptional dedication to teaching and student success. They possess remarkable teaching skills, making complex concepts easy to understand while engaging students in meaningful discussions. Their student-centered approach ensures that every voice is heard, as they actively listen to students and adjust their teaching methods to support individual learning styles. Beyond being an educator, they serve as an inspirational mentor, encouraging students to reach their full potential and offering guidance both inside and outside the classroom. Their passion for the subject is evident, creating an enthusiastic and dynamic learning environment.
This professor is also incredibly supportive and approachable, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help. They employ innovative teaching methods to enhance understanding and engagement, ensuring that students remain actively involved in their education. Their commitment to student success is evident in the encouragement and support they provide, helping students excel academically and personally. Additionally, they are dedicated to continuous professional growth, always seeking ways to improve their teaching and stay updated in their field. Through their positive influence on the learning environment, they promote a culture of respect, curiosity, and collaboration. Above all, they go above and beyond, offering extra support, office hours, and valuable resources to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly believe they deserve this nomination."
"In political science, I feel like a lot of times we get really sad because we get to hear all of them hard things happening around the world. And you can feel a little bit helpless and scared and nervous about what’s going on. We even have the ability to do and what we can do as students. And for me, she has helped me recognize that I do have potential to change things, but also how to manage those feelings of loss and discomfort as the world turmoils around me. Not only has she been a very good mentor and friend to me, but she also calls me out for my crap and hold me a cannibal and lets me learn sometimes the hard way because I don’t like to take the easy route apparently. In all, I feel like she was one of the big reasons why I am going to graduate this year because she pushed me to be a better person and a better student."
Out of two nominations
"I am honored to nominate Dr. McKenzie Wood for this award at Weber State University. Dr. Wood is not just an outstanding professor; she is a mentor, advocate, and source of inspiration who has profoundly shaped my and other students academic and professional journey.
Dr. Wood’s dedication to her students goes far beyond the classroom. Thanks to her unwavering support and guidance, I have been able to pursue my education debt-free. She has helped me secure scholarships, navigate research opportunities, and present at conferences—things I never thought I could achieve on my own. She saw potential in me before I saw it in myself and made sure I had the tools, confidence, and financial support to pursue my goals without barriers.
Beyond academics, Dr. Wood has helped me find my voice in ways I never imagined. Whether it was encouraging me to present my research, engage in intellectual discussions, or step into leadership roles, she has empowered me to grow both professionally and personally. She challenges her students to think critically, pushes us to expand our horizons, and ensures that we have the support we need to succeed.
Dr. Wood’s impact extends beyond her research and teaching—she genuinely cares about her students’ futures. Whether through her guidance on career paths, encouragement in difficult moments, or mentorship in research, she invests in her students wholeheartedly. Her passion for justice, commitment to student success, and tireless efforts to uplift others make her a truly exceptional faculty member.
For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Dr. McKenzie Wood for this award not just as an educator but as a transformational mentor who has changed my life and the lives of countless students at Weber State University."
