Faculty Awards Shared at TAMIU Fall ’21 Assembly
Each year Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College and School departments submit nominations for Outstanding Teacher of the Year (for fixed-term faculty), Distinguished Teacher of the Year (for tenured and tenure-track faculty), and University Scholar of the Year. Colleges then select their nominees and submit their names and credentials to the Faculty Senate. After studying the qualifications of the nominees, the TAMIU Faculty Senate votes.
TAMIU Faculty recipients were recognized at the Fall Assembly held Friday, Aug. 20 in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Recipients receive from the Office of the Provost a certificate and plaque, one year of reserved parking for the academic year 2021-2022, and a $500 bonus. To be nominated is a demonstration by peers of the respect that they have for colleagues and their work at TAMIU.
Of those nominated, the TAMIU Faculty Senate selected the following as University award recipients.
University Scholar of the Year: Dr. Brett Nickerson
The winner of the University Scholar of the Year has been a co-author of 29 peer-reviewed journal authors since 2016, the year he joined TAMIU. He currently has seven additional peer-reviewed articles accepted and awaiting publication. His research field is body composition, one of the five health-related components of fitness. More specifically, he is breaking new ground in his discipline by studying the differences in fat-free mass characteristics (density, hydration, mineral, and protein) between Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Whites. He is to be especially commended for mentorship of undergraduate students in his research, some earning national and regional recognition by professional associations in Kinesiology.
Nickerson holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alabama.
Distinguished Teacher of the Year: Dr. Aaron Olivas
The winner of the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award for tenure-track and tenured faculty joined TAMIU in 2014. A prolific scholar of Spanish colonialism and the Hispanic world, he brings his own enthusiastic engagement with his research into the classroom. His students praise him, in the words of one, for “his passion for his subject and [his] care for his students.” Another student credits him for delivering a course that “stretched his thinking” because it was “rigorous and very intellectually stimulating.” His department chair has praised him for motivating, mentoring, and inspiring his students.
Olivas holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Outstanding Teacher of the Year: Dr. Charlene Summers
The winner of the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award for fixed-term faculty has been an Assistant Professional at TAMIU since 2015 and has consistently taught five classes a semester in the University’s First-Year Writing Program, regularly earning high student evaluations as well as praise from her colleagues for, in the words of her chair, “her exemplary pedagogy.” Her leadership in that program and in her department as a whole has led to her appointment as the new Director of the First-Year Writing Program. Working with faculty from within and without her department, she is leading the effort to revise and improve the writing program curriculum.
Summers holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Kansas.
2020 Instructional Technology Excellence Award: Juan José Arellano, Jr.
Earlier this year, the 2020 Instructional Technology Excellence Award recipient was also recognized. Juan José Arellano, Jr., a Mathematics instructor at TAMIU’s College of Arts and Sciences, department of Mathematics and Physics, was lauded for his commitment to using emerging technologies while teaching.
“Mr. Arellano has exemplified the use of technology tools in his College Algebra courses and has made use of TAMIU’s Academic Innovation Center’s active learning classrooms to deliver his lessons. Arellano also uses several tools while teaching, including interactive graphic calculators, iPads as whiteboards, interactive software for geometric constructions, Google Sheets, LaTeX and much more,” said Miguel Munoa, associate vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer.
Before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Arellano continued to use tools and resources to facilitate classroom and virtual learning. Technologies, such as Desmos, a free advanced graphing calculator, offered students a better understanding of the mathematical concepts taught during class.
Technology continues to be a strong proponent in instruction. Whether a student is learning in the classroom or at home, emerging technologies can certainly facilitate an environment focused on student-centered learning, asserted Arellano.
“Mathematics is fun and exciting, but it may be difficult to showcase that with only paper and pencil. Innovative technology helps students experience authentic mathematics in captivating ways. I believe that these innovative tools of technology provide students with different avenues for learning and can help educators struggling to transition from the typical lecturing classes to a student-centered environment. Embracing technology is not just important to facilitate learning, but to transform learning,” said Arellano.
For additional information, contact the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
