Recipients of the 2020 Chancellor’s Awards are (top row, from left) Harry Harris, Pamela S. Stuerke, Mary Edwin, DeAnn J. Yount, Dale W. Huston, (bottom row, from left) Beth Huebner, Kristopher East, Alina Slapac and Mark Hauschild. Uma Segal received the University of Missouri System President’s Award for Cross Cultural Engagement. (Collage by August Jennewein)
University of Missouri–St. Louis faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions to the university during the annual State of the University Address, held virtually on Thursday afternoon.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik announced the five faculty members and three staff members who won Chancellor’s Awards, as well as recognizing the recipient of the Gerald and Deanne Gitner Excellence in Teaching Award. University of Missouri System President Mun Choi presented the President’s Award for Cross Cultural Engagement during the ceremony.
The faculty awards:
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creativity
Beth Huebner, professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Huebner’s research focuses on the criminal justice system, particularly reducing prisoner populations, humanizing the experience and highlighting the impact of financial sanctions. She advocates to improve data systems at both the local and national levels. Through her research into the use of data-driven decision-making within criminal justice facilities, she seeks to improve intervention and treatment designs. Grants from the MacArthur Foundation have helped fund her critical research.
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching to a Tenured or Tenure Track Faculty Member
Alina Slapac, associate professor in the Department of Educator Preparation and Leadership
Slapac’s passion is to see UMSL students succeed, a passion she pursues both inside and outside of the classroom. In her two-semester capstone course, she guides graduating master’s students through action research and its implementation in their classrooms. She also advises them on how to report and share their findings with the larger community. She serves as a mentor who frequently works with UMSL students after their graduation and is a valued contributor to community engagement programs.
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service
Pamela S. Stuerke, professor in the Department of Accounting
Through her work on the Faculty Senate, where she has served since 2012, Stuerke’s influence extends beyond the Department of Accounting to encompass the entire university. She serves on the University Steering Committee and the Budget and Planning Committee, as well as chairing the Administration Evaluation Committee. Her impact was especially felt through her commitment to the Higher Learning Commission Reaccreditation Steering Committee. Her efforts and service encompass UMSL, the UM System, the accounting profession and the broader St. Louis community.
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching to a Non-tenure Track Faculty Member
Mark Hauschild, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Computer Science
Hauschild earned his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD at UMSL. As an instructor, he is noted for his rapport with students and continually refines course material to maintain its relevancy. He’s also committed to creating an outstanding learning environment outside the classroom by spending time with students who want to go beyond textbooks. He promotes inclusion and diversity in the computer science field, serves as a faculty adviser for the Computing Club and organizes an annual programming competition in his department.
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for a Part-time Faculty Member
DeAnn J. Yount, adjunct professor in the School of Social Work
Yount stays informed on the latest innovations in her field and shares her knowledge with students through the use of podcasts, videos and role playing to supplement learning and provide feedback. She incorporates case studies and exercises with lectures to promote student learning and provides field supervision to students when they work with agencies that are short-staffed. Her role as a counselor in private practice allows her to share real-life scenarios that her students can reference in the future.
Gerald and Deanne Gitner Excellence in Teaching Award
Mary Edwin, assistant professor in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs
Edwin focuses on engagement and experiential learning in the courses she teaches and is an expert in the field of school counseling, particularly K-12 career counseling. She recently co-authored an article titled “Profile of High School Students’ STEM Career Aspirations,” which was published in Career Development Quarterly and named Article of the Year by the National Career Development Association. Her research explores the role of career development interventions in promoting STEM career aspirations and retention of female and underrepresented minority students.
President’s Award for Cross Cultural Engagement
Uma Segal, professor in the School of Social Work
Segal’s research, service and teaching have a major focus on immigrant and refugee populations and global migrations. In her three decades at UMSL, she’s published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has published six books on immigrant and refugee studies. Her research and international collaborations have taken her to countries across six continents, where she’s presented to global organizations. She’s also served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, an interdisciplinary publication dedicated to topics related to human migration.
The staff awards:
Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in the administrative/professional category
Harry Harris, academic advisor in the College of Nursing
Harris has worked at UMSL for 16 years and has a deep knowledge of the university. He has the ability to direct colleagues to where they can find answers to their questions or join a campus organization or committee. Harris is involved in campus activities, dedicating his time and energy to making UMSL inclusive, accessible and a positive experience for students, faculty and staff as well as ensuring that students receive the most effective advising possible.
Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in the office/administrative category
Kristopher East, business support specialist in the Departments of Education Sciences and Professional Programs and Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research
In his role as a business support specialist, East engages with everyone involved in the College of Education, from working with students to meeting visiting scholars, and promotes a welcome and inclusive environment. East is recognized for his positive attitude, patience, good humor and willingness to go above and beyond, consistently stepping outside the expectations of his role.
Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in the service/maintenance category
Dale W. Huston, lead custodian in Facilities
Huston excels in his role in maintenance operations, where he works alongside and trains staff on new cleaning methods. During training, he praises staff for their efforts, using positive reinforcement while challenging them to continuously improve. He focuses on morale and safety while completing his duties and is recognized for always giving his best on the job.
