The Faculty Senate Executive Committee and the Faculty Senate Council for Career Track Faculty Issues is proud to feature the following Career track faculty for our bi-annual Career Spotlight. Chairs and colleagues nominated the faculty below for public recognition of their professional dedication to the university, highlighting examples of the significant teaching, research, and service contributions non-tenure track faculty provide to the NAU community and beyond.<\/p>\n
Natalie Landman<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Natalie Landman distinguishes herself through sustained excellence in teaching, scholarship, and program-building service that advances student success and strengthens the academic infrastructure of the DMSc program. Her teaching is marked by consistently strong evaluations, high-quality advising of doctoral students, and continuous course refinement that integrates evidence-based practice and strategic health systems concepts to support diverse learners. Her scholarly work exceeds expectations and contributes meaningfully to areas such as value-based care, health systems science, and quality and cost of care, including authorship of a book chapter on learning innovation. In service, she has played a foundational leadership role in establishing DMSc program bylaws and committee structures, while also supporting program growth through initiatives such as the development of an official DMSc social media presence. Her integrated impact across instruction, scholarship, and program development reflects a strong commitment to advancing doctoral education and preparing future healthcare leaders.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kris Cassidy<\/strong><\/p>\n “It is my honor to nominate Kris Cassidy for recognition as an outstanding nursing faculty member. She is the kind of colleague who consistently goes above and beyond\u2014not for praise, but because it is simply who she is. Her dedication to her students, her team, and the profession is evident in everything she does.<\/p>\n Kris is a fierce and unwavering student advocate. She always makes time for her learners, no matter how busy her schedule becomes. Whether she is offering academic support, emotional encouragement, or professional guidance, she shows up fully present and deeply committed. Her students know they can count on her, and that trust is something she has earned through compassion, consistency, and genuine care.<\/p>\n As a colleague, she is equally exceptional. She is the first to offer help, the one who steps in without hesitation, and the person who often takes on more than her share simply because she wants the team to succeed. Her willingness to support others\u2014quietly, reliably, and without seeking recognition\u2014strengthens our entire department.<\/p>\n Her passion for nursing education is unmistakable. She approaches every task with dedication and excellence, whether she is preparing course materials, mentoring students, collaborating with faculty, or contributing to program initiatives. She brings energy, integrity, and heart to her work, and our program is better because of her.<\/p>\n For her unwavering commitment, her extraordinary work ethic, and her profound impact on both students and colleagues, I wholeheartedly nominate Kris for this honor. She exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional nurse educator.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Derek Uhey<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Derek Uhey exemplifies the mission of Northern Arizona University through sustained excellence in teaching, mentorship, innovation, and service that directly advances student success. In three years, he has taught 10 distinct courses totaling over 80 credit hours, averaging approximately 13.5 credits per semester, across in-person, online, field-based, and international formats, consistently earning exceptional student evaluations through all mediums of teaching. Students deeply value Dr. Uhey\u2019s engaging, supportive teaching and his ability to connect coursework to real-world and workforce-relevant skills.<\/p>\n Dr. Uhey is a leader in experiential and innovative learning at NAU, earning the Transformation in using Artificial Intelligence in Learning (TRAIL) grant for pioneering ethical, student-centered applications of AI that enhance active learning and professional preparation. His commitment to student mentorship is equally impactful: he has guided two master\u2019s students to completion, currently mentors two additional graduate students, and has supervised eight undergraduate researchers, providing meaningful pathways into research, publication, and career development.<\/p>\n Alongside a substantial teaching and mentoring load, Dr. Uhey maintains strong scholarly and service contributions, including seven peer-reviewed publications, approximately ten professional presentations, three grant submissions, and service on unit-, college-, and university-level committees. He has further expanded NAU\u2019s global engagement and high-impact practices by leading a successful study abroad program in Prague and preparing to lead a second international program in Costa Rica.<\/p>\n Dr. Uhey\u2019s record reflects the very best of Career Track faculty at NAU and makes him a highly deserving recipient of the Faculty Spotlight.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anita Antoninka<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Antoninka is a nationally and internationally recognized ecologist whose research has fundamentally advanced understanding of biological soil crusts, mycorrhizal fungi, and dryland ecosystem restoration. She has authored or co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Restoration Ecology, New Phytologist, Global Change Biology, and Biological Reviews, with many papers featuring student co-authors. This demonstrates both scholarly productivity and a deep commitment to training the next generation of scientists. Her work is highly applied, directly informing land management, climate adaptation, wildfire recovery, and ecosystem restoration across the U.S. Southwest and beyond. This excellence is reflected in sustained external funding from NSF, USDA, NIH, Sloan Foundation, and multiple land-management agencies, totaling many millions of dollars.<\/p>\n Equally exceptional is her record of mentorship and service. As Program Coordinator for NIH-RISE and IMSD and a leader on major equity-centered STEM initiatives, Dr. Antoninka has played a pivotal role in broadening participation in science for Indigenous, first-generation, and historically excluded students. Her leadership has been recognized through multiple NAU President\u2019s Awards, including Faculty Leadership Awards for Ethnic Diversity and Disability Access, and the President\u2019s Award for Graduate Research Mentorship.<\/p>\n Collectively, Dr. Antoninka\u2019s career reflects rare breadth and depth: rigorous, influential science; sustained excellence in student mentoring; and nationally visible leadership in inclusive, community-engaged research and education.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gretchen Bachman<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr Gretchen Bachman is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at NAU’s Phoenix Biomedical Campus. She has served as faculty for the program for eight years and is also a Certified Hand Therapist (advanced certification)with over two decades of clinical experience. Her PhD work focused on researching Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, integrates clinical expertise with scholarly work and a sustained commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. She uses her vast knowledge gathered in her clinical practice and her PhD work to create meaningful classroom experiences and projects with students.<\/p>\n Dr. Bachman has secured multiple research grants totaling over $5,000 to advance cross-cultural healthcare access. Her work on the Spanish for Mexico Version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure is now an officially published assessment tool used internationally. She has developed educational initiatives addressing implicit bias in healthcare, structural awareness in Indigenous health, and anti-fat bias, presenting these topics at national conferences and creating educational series for community partners and the occupational therapy community through collaboration with Arizona Occupational Therapy Association.<\/p>\n Since 2005, Dr. Bachman has served as a founding Board Member of the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation, organizing sustainable educational and medical missions. She orchestrated an international hand therapy conference in Lima, Peru, funded by the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy, working with Peruvian therapists to build local capacity in underserved regions.<\/p>\n Dr. Bachman serves as Executive Board Member and Treasurer of the American Hand Therapy Foundation. She was an inaugural appointee to the American Society of Hand Therapists’ Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, where she worked with consultants to develop the association’s first DEI Strategic Plan, published in 2023. She received the Outstanding Service Award in 2023 for her DEI contributions. She also serves as Co-Chair and Moderator of the American Association for Hand Surgery’s annual Diversity Panel.<\/p>\n In teaching, Dr. Bachman has been instructor of record for over a dozen courses and has mentored doctoral student research teams through the Practice Scholar Apprenticeship program since 2016. Her mentorship has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. She currently advises 24 doctoral students and chairs the department’s Academic Success Committee.<\/p>\n Dr. Bachman’s scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications in journals such as the Journal of Hand Therapy and the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, service on editorial boards, and over 50 professional presentations at national and international conferences. Her collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Artist + Researcher Program on destigmatizing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome through art was featured on the cover of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Xichun “Steve” Wang<\/strong><\/p>\n “Steve has played a foundational role in the success of our program. As the first official faculty member at its inception, he devoted sustained effort during its earliest and most uncertain stages and has witnessed its growth from a newly launched initiative to a program serving over a thousand enrolled students each year. In teaching, Steve has been responsible for multiple core courses that consistently receive strong student feedback, and he has supervised a large number of capstone and graduation projects. His instructional and mentoring contributions have been central to the program\u2019s academic quality and development. In service, Steve has been instrumental in helping new faculty integrate quickly and effectively, and his engagement in both internal and external service activities has helped ensure the program\u2019s smooth and reliable operation.”<\/p>\n “Dr. Xichun (Steve) Wang teaches in the MCIT program and actively participates in service activities related to teaching and curriculum design. His contributions help strengthen the program\u2019s instructional quality and support the ongoing development and improvement of the curriculum.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jessica Manzone<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Manzone goes above and beyond for her students and the Arizona Teacher Residency program every day. Her pedagogy is exceptional, the best I have ever seen, and should be upheld as an example for all faculty. She creates a creative “ignite” or “engagement” at the beginning of every session and lesson within sessions. She has students up and engaged in projects and group assignments every session. Her slide decks are immaculate and highly creative. She is a model of a good teacher for our teaching candidates. She also far exceeds expectations in every other area of her job. She helps write grants and is a national speaker in gifted education. She publishes regularly in journals and edited volumes, even though scholarship is not even part of her SOE. She serves on multiple committees and reviews articles for journals and guest speaks. She also helps with the administration of the Arizona Teacher Residency. Finally, Dr. Manzone goes out of her way to support students, visiting their classrooms, helping them after hours, and authentically caring for them. She absolutely deserves to be acknowledged and I am proud to call her a colleague.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kasondra McCracken<\/strong><\/p>\n “Professor McCracken consistently demonstrates a heartfelt commitment to students through her efforts in teaching, student support, and program enhancements. Despite being fairly new to NAU, Ms. McCracken’s contributions are already deeply impactful. She has overhauled three courses towards stronger-evidenced based teaching practice to improve career relevance and student engagement. This evidence-based pedagogical approach leverages, both, online and in-person practices to best serve student learning in both modalities. She supports student success by forging meaningful relationships, connecting with students in ways that leverages their experience and lifts their the confidences towards a new sensibility of professional presence. Finally, Ms. McCracken drives excellence across our department, constantly finding new ways to connect with colleagues to strengthen our collective approaches to supporting students and achieving our learning outcomes.”<\/p>\n “Kas is a committed teaching professional, elevating the quality of teaching across the Health Sciences department. Kas has built an improved student engagement strategy for the online, often full time working professional, allied health student community. She has revamped and revised numerous courses to be more relevant for workforce preparedness, providing hands-on learning opportunities, as well as mentoring new faculty to improve their pedagogical practices. Kas is the ultimate “team player” lifting others, while also maintaining a steady, consistency in her teaching. I feel fortunate to work with her and learn from her. Her contributions to our learning community important and impactful.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jason Myrowitz<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Myrowitz developed a course on negotiation which has become an integral part of the core curriculum for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. Students rate the course and Dr. Myrowitz’ teaching of it as a highlight of the program due to the negotiating skills they develop. In addition, Dr.Myrowitz serves as the coach for student teams who compete in a national competition among university students and accompanies them to the event. Two years ago, NAU hosted the event in Phoenix under Dr. Myrowitz guidance.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Holly Aungst<\/strong><\/p>\n “Holly breaks ceilings when she teaches students. She is currently infusing playful pedagogy into a biomechanics and motor learning course she teaches (FW325). I love seeing her carry new class materials and manipulatives for students to explore. She heads to class saying “not sure how this is going to work, but wish me luck.” She has taught this course countless times in her tenure here at NAU. I often see faculty teach the same way, time after time. Not Holly. She is ALWAYS finding a way to engage her students more deeply and make her teachings relevant and relational. Additionally, she carries a heavy administrative load in our Department as Associate Chair. Our faculty trust her. She navigates serious student situations and mentors new faculty with such care and expertise. I have worked alongside Holly for nine years now. I have also been in education for 24 years. I have never seen a more organized and intentional instructor. Coupled with the fact that she cares deeply and is stays current on the many challenges our students and faculty are navigating. She is a GEM.. a rockstar… a solid and fearless leader for our department and students.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dale Cummings\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n “Dr. Cummings brings an energy to the classroom that excites and engages students. This excitement is not just limited to assigned class time. He holds weekly “Monday Night Chemistry Parties” for extra review, practice as well as a way for students to engage with him and others to feel more connected.<\/p>\n Service: Member of the Faculty Senate, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC), College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Curriculum & Assessment Committee (CEFNS CCAC)<\/p>\n Faculty advisor for:\u00a0Nau chapter American Association of Biochemistry and Microbiology (ASBMB), Pi Kappa Phi, and NAU Fencing club<\/p>\n For anyone who has been to a Football, Men’s Basketball, or Women’s Basketball game in the last 2 years would also be aware of Dr. Cummings as he motivates the crowd to support the team in a way I have never previously experienced at NAU.”<\/p>\n “Dr. Cummings teaches large classes of general chemistry and organic chemistry. He brings enthusiasm, excitement, and many teaching approaches to his classroom and his office hours. Students know they can talk to Dr. Cummings any time and where about the courses he teaches as well as career pathways, etc. Additionally, Dr. Cummings is part of the chemistry team to provide instruction for incoming NAU students prior to the start of the fall semester. The program is part of a STEM Boot Camp that helps students transition to college and gives them the tools to succeed in chemistry as well as other courses. Dr. Cummings is the perfect faculty to staff the Boot Camp as his enthusiasm provides excitement and fun to the chemistry course – very different than what students might expect. I believe Dr. Cummings is deserving of recognition of his amazing teaching style and hard work to assist students to succeed in courses that are deemed “difficult”.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jill Navran<\/strong><\/p>\n “Jill Navran is an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Social Work. She has been teaching at Northern Arizona University since 2019. She also attended NAU for her undergraduate BSW degree graduating in 2011. She graduated with her MSW from Denver University in 2012. \u00a0Jill’s teaching approach aligns with NAU’s commitment to graduate students who are career ready. With a background in non-profit and community social work Jill brings leadership and practice experiences into the classroom. Her teaching and service reflect a commitment to ethical leadership, community engagement at the local and state level and the education of future social work professionals. Students in her SW 423 undergraduate class are required to complete a community service project with a local organization. These projects increase student understanding about how to build community capacity, provide a service to the organization and increase collaborative student efforts with the community. Student feedback is positive about her teaching approach. Students report that she is “one of the best”, “the topics we learned were so interesting and informative, especially because of my growing interest in advocacy” and “she gives really good feedback about assignments and her lectures are well structured”. Jill currently serves as the co-advisor for the Social Work Phi Alpha Honors Society and serves on the social work awards and scholarship committee.<\/p>\n Jill is an active leader in university governance. She is a member of the Faculty senate, serving her second term. She currently chairs the Faculty Senate charged Career Track Council. Jill has also been a member of the Faculty Senate Executive committee for the past two years. Jill is a strong advocate of shared faculty governance. She views faculty collaboration and leadership as critical aspects needed to build a transparent academic community.<\/p>\n As a community member Jill is a Big Sister for Big Brothers\/Big sisters of Flagstaff. Jill exposes her little to many community activities and encourages her to take risks, engage with others and invest in learning.<\/p>\n I know this asks for a brief description so I tried to highlight Jill’s contributions to NAU, the NAU students and larger community as briefly as possible. I strongly hope Jill is acknowledged for her work at NAU.”<\/p>\n\n Dr. Gina Buban<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Buban is the Director of Academic Fieldwork, Faculty Advisor to the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and Chair of the Student Recruitment Committee at Northern Arizona University’s Occupational Therapy Program. Nationally, the occupational therapy profession is experiencing a significant decline in individuals applying to become occupational therapy practitioners. In addition to her other faculty responsibilities, Dr. Buban and her team have made it their mission to increase awareness about the occupational therapy profession among students in primary and secondary schools, students in post-secondary education, as well as the general public. She has been instrumental in creating a consortium of AFWC throughout the valley, the first of its kind, bringing all OT programs in our state together with a common mission. Dr. Buban has thought outside the box by providing education about the occupational therapy profession during summer camps, posting on social media, attending social and career events, and presenting on “What is OT” panels. She does an exceptional job of sharing what occupational therapy is and how it can positively impact clients across the lifespan, often through providing hands-on learning opportunities so others can truly understand the profession. Additionally, she is focused on serving rural and underserved communities. Dr. Buban focuses on recruiting students from these areas and placing fieldwork students within these communities so that they can return to these communities to provide services upon graduation. Due to her tireless efforts, 37% of the NAU occupational therapy graduates work in rural and underserved communities after graduating, compared to 22% from five years ago. She constantly advocates for OT students, helping the NAU OT department raise more than $5000 for student emergency funds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jessica R. Barnes<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Jessica Barnes (Associate Teaching Professor – Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation) has taken advantage of amazing community-based and campus-based initiatives that make her an outstanding member of the NAU community. Dr. Barnes was a facilitator (and past participant) of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC – sponsored by the US Department of State) program in India, focused on urban and agricultural landscapes. Dr. Barnes is also a co-author to an upcoming release of an Open Educational Resource, with development support from NAU Cline Library through an Elevating Excellence grant. Dr. Barnes also was awarded a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience grant through NAU OURCA to support course design for a popular undergraduate general studies course. Dr. Barnes is an exceptional colleague and cheerleader to many through these networks and opportunities that she situates herself within.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Volodymyr Vasylyovych Saruta <\/strong><\/p>\n Saruta has been an outstanding mentor for new faculty, guiding course development, effective teaching strategies, and student engagement techniques. His dedication to enhancing student learning is evident in his innovative approach to teaching programming courses, where he integrates hands-on coding exercises, real-world problem-solving scenarios, and case studies to reinforce key concepts. He actively explores new ways to improve student engagement, such as interactive lab sessions, peer code reviews, and project-based learning, ensuring students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.<\/p>\n He is an exceptional person. He guides his students very well. The way he is concerned about his students is really worth. He takes his time to deliver the content and makes sure everyone is on the same pace. He also helps students in their personal projects, and he is my mentor too. he guided me through out my career here at NAU.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Amy Hitt<\/strong><\/p>\n Amy Hitt is an outstanding educator, mentor, and leader who has profoundly impacted students and colleagues at Northern Arizona University (NAU). As Program Coordinator for the Strategic Communication department, she oversees a program serving over 250 students and eight faculty members, ensuring its focus on career readiness through initiatives like Clifton Strengths coaching for senior capstone students. Beyond administration, she actively enhances student learning by integrating real-world experiences, such as collaborating with Surfer’s Healing and the Grand Canyon Conservancy and co-advising the NAU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to provide networking and professional development opportunities. Amy’s excellence has been formally recognized, with multiple Gold Axe Award recipients naming her as an “Educator of Influence,” highlighting her mentorship’s lasting impact. Additionally, her leadership extends to university-wide contributions, including serving on faculty advisory committees, leading search committees, and representing the Strategic Communication program in statewide initiatives like AZ Transfer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Robyn Conrad Hansen<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Conrad Hansen goes above and beyond with all of her roles at NAU, from previously leading our department through accreditation processes, to serving on the faculty senate, providing high quality teaching, supporting dissertations, mentoring new faculty, and connecting our department with local, regional, and international education communities. And she is also highly engaged with research and scholarship as part of her work to support our department and students, such as: supporting the ISSPP (International Successful School Principals Project) by working on continuous research, articles, chapter submissions, international presentations (Cyprus and London this past academic year), recruiting other universities to join the project, as well as work with 4 doc students who are working on the research component. Basically, what I admire the most about her is the willingness to not be defined by job description or title, and to do what she thinks is best for our students.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Dr. Sneha Vissa; Biological Sciences; Assistant Teaching Professor<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sneha teaches ~750 students per semester and has mastered large class structures. Somehow, she still finds time to mentor students individually through an innovative TA program, publish and present research projects, and lead her department’s inclusivity efforts. Sneha’s exceptional work has far reaching impacts across NAU!<\/p>\n Sneha is an advocate for breaking down unjust systems of oppression in academia and is actively working to rebuild a structure of justice and inclusion in the classroom. *Some* of the work she is involved in includes spearheading the Biological Sciences Inclusive Excellence Committee, serving as a Co-PI on two institutional grants focused on increasing student success and retention (with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented student groups) in BIO courses, representing BIO in NAU’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan Committee, participating actively in the Commission on the Status of Women, and most notably, bringing these inclusive practices into the classroom. Sneha is truly a person of action and impact and is deserving of a bright spotlight shining on her stellar work!<\/p>\n Sneha is committed to inclusive teaching practices by spearheading the Biological Sciences Inclusive Excellence Committee to develop resources and policies to promote inclusive excellence for the past 2 years. Also, she is a co-PI on two Elevating Excellence grants with a team of teaching professors from Biological Sciences to focus on marginalized and underrepresented student success and retention and improving chemistry literacy in introductory classes. Finally, Sneha represents Biological Sciences and CEFNS in Justin Mallet’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan Committee.<\/p>\n Dr. Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth OTD, OTR\/L, BCP Associate Clinical Professor Department Chair Occupational Therapy<\/strong><\/p>\n Amy, a dedicated member of NAU’s OT program for nearly a decade, excels in her creation of the entire pediatric content for the program and fostering numerous community partnerships. Her commitment to research is evident through her prolific publications and her role as a mentor for the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health. She also has earned a graduate certificate from the ITR program and serves as a role model for OT engaging in this level of scholarship. Amy’s tireless advocacy efforts have resulted in her securing significant grant funding (AOTF 50K), a large Vitalyst Grant for system change to support her work with youth transitioning out of foster care. Her collaborative approach and pursuit of excellence elevate both her research endeavors and the field of occupational therapy as a whole are evident in her teaching, service, and scholarship.<\/p>\n Dr. Armstrong-Heimsoth has worked at NAU for eight years as a faculty member, helping develop the occupational therapy program, and is now the program’s department chair. Dr. Armstrong-Heimsoth is a phenomenal faculty member who has created learning opportunities that take students out of the classroom to receive hands-on experiences, such as the opportunity for her graduate students to work with youth in the foster care system or a field trip to work with kids who have complex needs and abilities. Additionally, her scholarship has exceeded her allotted time (10%), such as publishing in peer-reviewed journals, completing state and national presentations, and receiving grant funding. She is making a local and national impact on youth who are aging out of foster care and defining the emerging practice of the role of occupational therapy in working with this population.<\/p>\n Dr. Ali Conant, NBCT- College of Education- Teaching and Learning- Associate Teaching Professor<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Ali Conant stands out as an exemplary faculty member within the Career Track program, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to enriching the educational experiences of teacher candidates. Overseeing two BSEd teacher preparation cohorts across Yavapai County and Glendale, Dr. Conant goes above and beyond by fostering community connections beyond the classroom. Notably, she provides opportunities for engagement in international conventions, local events such as the SciFi-Tech Fest, NAU Learning Showcase, and community initiatives like book drives with the Lion’s Club, and literacy and math nights in partnering schools. Serving as co-president of COE-College Council and co-chairing various committees, Dr. Conant plays an integral role in shaping the academic landscape. Her involvement in organizations like Imagination Library of Prescott and AZASCD further underscores her dedication to advancing educational initiatives. As the organizing secretary for ARAMID, she actively contributes to globalizing the education conversation. Dr. Conant’s unwavering focus on student-centered approaches and forward-thinking mindset make her an invaluable asset, embodying the true spirit of teaching, collaboration, and innovation.<\/p>\n Jeff Rushall, Mathematics and Statistics, Flagstaff Mountain, CEFNS, Teaching Professor<\/strong><\/p>\n Jeff has had a huge impact on undergraduate and graduate students in our department since 1997. In more recent years he’s supported graduate students by serving as the GTA Coordinator for our department, preparing GTAs for their teaching duties and providing guidance for them as they simultaneously navigate their student roles. He impacts undergraduate students all over campus by training their math instructors and impacts undergraduates majoring in mathematics specifically by advising 2-4 students annually in research. Jeff also facilitates FAMUS (the Friday Afternoon Mathematics Undergraduate Seminars) weekly where students are presented with mathematics topics that pique their curiosity. Jeff is a true model for elevating excellence within a university department, impacting undergraduate students, graduate students, and his colleagues alike!<\/p>\n Kara Ahearn, MSW Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Social Work College of Social And Behavioral Sciences Yuma Campus<\/strong><\/p>\n Kara is one of the hardest working professors I know. Her passion for social work education is unparalleled. Kara works in all aspects of a faculty role in Yuma. From coordinating program needs to mentoring each student individually to passionate recruitment efforts for social work education in Yuma and beyond, Kara’s goal is to make sure each student sees their worth and professional potential through achieving a social work degree. She is tireless in all she does, and her current work on a doctorate also highlights her love of social work education, specifically helping community college transfer students reach their goals.<\/p>\n2024-2025 Career Track Spotlights Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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