Eight faculty members at Stony Brook University have received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). The recipients, representing a range of disciplines across the university, were recognized during New Faculty Orientation organized by the Office of the Provost before the start of classes.
Rose Tirotta-Esposito, Assistant Provost of Educational Transformation and CELT Director, stated, “I am continuously inspired by the amazing faculty here on campus. These awards are a vital part of our university’s commitment to pedagogical excellence, serving as a powerful testament to the hard work and creativity of our faculty. I love that we present these at New Faculty Orientation, as they help us share these best practices with others and, I hope, inspire new faculty as much as they do me.”
The awards were presented alongside Outstanding Mentor Awards and Outstanding Lecturer Awards during orientation events that are part of the Navigating SBU series.
The David L. Ferguson Award for Inclusive Teaching went to Anu Andrews, Clinical Assistant Professor in Respiratory Care at the School of Health Professions. Andrews has over 20 years’ experience as a respiratory therapist working with diverse patient groups. She uses case studies and hands-on labs in her teaching and adopts inclusive practices supported by ongoing professional development.
Margaret Echelbarger, Assistant Professor of Marketing in the College of Business, received recognition for Teaching Innovation. Her research focuses on children’s financial decision-making and consumer development. Echelbarger incorporates real-world examples into her courses and utilizes platforms like Instagram and Discord to engage students outside traditional formats.
Darya Likhacheva, a PhD student in Social & Health Psychology from the Department of Psychology, was awarded for Excellence in Teaching as a Teaching Assistant. Likhacheva adapts her teaching methods based on student needs to ensure understanding at various levels.
M Love, a PhD student and instructor in Linguistics under a Turner fellowship from the Center for Inclusive Education, earned the Brooke Ellison Award for Accessible Teaching. Love redesigned course materials to be accessible through multi-modal lectures and flexible deadlines.
Sheri Levy, Professor in the Department of Psychology, was recognized for Excellence in Teaching an Online Course. Levy collaborates internationally on topics such as ageism and climate change education and has developed multiple courses while holding leadership roles within her department.
Robert Nocito, Clinical Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine at Renaissance School of Medicine, received recognition for Experiential Education. He leads initiatives like Pathways to Healthcare that provide students with clinical experiences and mentorship opportunities.
Gregory Ruf, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director for Asian and Asian American Studies in CAS, was acknowledged for Excellence in Teaching an In-Person Course. Ruf is known for his work on Chinese society and culture and has previously been honored with other teaching awards.
Tracy Trimboli, Clinical Instructor at the School of Nursing who studies invisible illness and aging in place, received recognition for Excellence in Assessment due to her focus on experiential learning informed by clinical experience.
