Excellence in Service

Dr. Melida Gutierrez, Professor of Geology, receives the CNAS Faculty Excellence in Service Award. This year, she reviewed twenty-two manuscripts. For the last two years, she’s served as the Guest Editor Minerals: Sustainable Use of Abandoned Mines. She is a member of GGP’s Faculty Evaluation Committee and Chair of the CNAS Faculty Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Committee. Dr. Gutierrez serves as a mentor for the Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Program.

Excellence in Research

Dr. Bob Pavlowsky, Distinguished Professor, receives the CNAS Faculty Excellence in Research Award. In the last two years, he co-authored three peer-reviewed articles and eleven technical reports, including nine student co-authors. One of the publications was an article for the Treatise on Geomorphology. The treatise is a compilation of review articles by experts in the field to recognize the present status and new directions in research for geomorphology. As the Director of OEWRI, the Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute, he lead the acquisition of six external grants totaling $190,000. As a primary student advisor, he successfully mentored three Masters of Science candidates who successfully defended their theses in 2021.

Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Matt McKay, Associate Professor, receives the CNAS Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. He has an outstanding ability to recruit students to study geology, and undergraduate majors into the graduate program. He has taught Principles of Geology, Environmental Geology, Structural Geology, and Field Geology. He connects with students. He engages students on an enthusiastic level promoting science. He provides extraordinary insight into geologic problems. He implements innovative approaches in his instruction and problem-solving direction. He obtained SCUF funding for Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets to develop interactive virtual field trips. He is also a recipient of the 2021-2022 MSU FCTL Curriculum Innovation Award.

Melanie Carden-Jessen, Instructor, receives the CNAS Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. She is well regarded by her peers for the enthusiasm she brings into the classroom and within the GGP department. Her commitment to training future educators is exemplified in her role as the Program Coordinator of Earth Science Secondary Education. Melanie has significantly updated the Earth Science for Teachers, GRY 240, course as it is now also offered online. The online course development includes associated videos for lab and lecture in its structure.

Congratulations to you all. Thank you to the CNAS Faculty and Staff Resources web page for content in this article.