Nine faculty members have received this year’s College of
Arts and Sciences (CAS) awards for outstanding achievement in a variety of
categories.
The 2020-21 awards were given to Agnes Ly, associate
professor of psychological and brain sciences, and Devon Miller-Duggan,
assistant professor of English, both for excellence in teaching; Jaclyn
Schwarz, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences, and McKay
Jenkins, Cornelius A. Tilghman Professor of English, both for excellence in
scholarship; Christine Cucciarre, professor of English, for excellence in
service; Miranda Wilson, associate professor of English, and Jennifer Nauen,
associate professor of biological sciences, both for excellence in advisement;
Ronet Bachman, professor of sociology, for excellence in faculty mentoring; and
Sharon Rozovsky, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for
excellence in advocacy.
Earlier this month, CAS Dean John A. Pelesko surprised each
of the honorees with an in-person or virtual visit during a class or event to
announce and present the award.
Following are more details about the honorees and the
tributes Pelesko offered.
Agnes Ly has
collaborated with the Provost’s Office to lead a class that would better serve
underprepared students, not only teaching the disciplinary content of the
course but also helping students learn how to learn and to become independent
learners. She has been successful in providing her students with the right
tools and environments.
Devon Miller-Duggan has
taught at UD for 40 years, most of them as an adjunct faculty member. Her
teaching focus is on creative writing, a subject that requires devotion to the
craft and to developing each student’s individual skills. Her priority is to
make the classroom inclusive and a safe place to share ideas, critiques and
points of view.
Jaclyn Schwarz is a
neuroscientist who has built an independent and successful record of
high-quality research, with over 45 publications and external funding for her
work that has totaled more than $2 million. Her research program at UD includes
three primary projects and is noted for its innovativeness and relevance to
significant health problems.
McKay Jenkins, who has
developed such interdisciplinary programs as the environmental humanities
minor, has a “prolific and prestigious record of publication” that includes not
only articles in academic journals but also articles and books on a wide range
of topics that have wide public appeal. He approaches scholarship with a sense
of mission on environmental practices.
Christine Cucciarre is
director of composition in the Department of English, chair of the University
Faculty Senate’s General Education Committee and a member of several other task
forces and committees within UD and the College of Arts and Sciences. In all
her services duties, she looks for ways to make connections involving students,
faculty, initiatives and departments.
Miranda Wilson is
associate chair of the Department of English, where she has made a profound and
lasting impact on the culture of advisement. She has used her prolific
mentoring and advisement experience to develop new plans and to connect
students with the advisers who can best help them. She has been especially
focused on students coming from the Associate in Arts Program.
Jennifer Nauen began
advising students at UD in 2009 and five years later was appointed a designated
adviser for biology education majors. In 2020, she was named undergraduate
program director, overseeing student advisement for juniors and seniors in the
Department of Biological Sciences. She assists students with class enrollment
but also helps connect them with all the University’s resources.
Ronet Bachman has
mentored colleagues in her department as well as graduates while they pursued
their academic careers. Her work is described as “exemplary and longstanding,”
showcasing her dedication, generosity of time and knowledge, and the ability to
give constructive feedback, support and high levels of encouragement.
Sharon Rozovsky is
known as a collaborative colleague with a flourishing research career. With
Prof. Karl Booksh, she has successfully led a Research Experiences for
Undergraduates program that provides students with disabilities the mentoring
and experience that is important for success in graduate school. The program
works to build a supportive community and provide role models for future
generations of students.
