Student Choice: Outstanding Faculty Award

Nominees & Nominations

We received more than 300 nominations this year. They are listed in alphabetical order so be sure to keep scrolling. Happy reading!

 

• Tomono Adachi - Her teaching is easy to understand, welcoming, and effective. She truly cares about her students, and will go the extra mile for each and every one of them. Even outside of classes, she has built up a wonderful community around the Japanese program over the years. Managing the Weber Japan Club and all its events, giving opportunities for Japanese exchange students and students studying Japanese to study and practice with each other. There's so much support for students thanks to her. She is the best teacher I have ever had.
   

• Elias Alexander - He is continuously dedicated to ensuring we are learning and growing in his classroom. His instruction is high rigor but so accessible to all students, he's truly an exceptional instructor that I will remember forever. He's been challenged by having to keep his class on Zoom but has nevertheless kept it engaging throughout.
   

• Clinton Amos - He goes above and beyond and I learn way more in his class than in any of the other classes that I've taken.
   

• RaDon Anderson - Very good teacher.
   

• Jena Andrus (1 of 4 nominations) - Professor Andrus teaches with clarity and simplicity while helping her students understand the core of the subject. She's dedicated and works hard both in and out of the classroom. She is not only an incredible professor but she is an incredible human being. She treats each of her students with love and respect. She is exceptionally well at positive, encouraging feedback. As Mary Poppins puts it, Professor Andrus is "practically perfect in every way"!
   

• Sophie Archibald - I am currently working on a proposal to present at the World Conference for Existential Humanistic Psychology. Dr. Archibald not only pointed me in the direction of the conference, but she has also gone above and beyond supporting me in my preparations and pushing me to apply even when I feared I was not good enough. Dr. Archibald also has a way with students; she teaches content well and also engages everyone in the class. I have never had a teacher who made me feel comfortable asking questions in class and participating. She is the best teacher I have ever had, and I think it is safe to assume many of the people in my cohort feel the same way.
   

• Gage Arnold - He makes the content of the class easy and understandable. He recognizes students that do well in the class, and he's always there to answer questions.
   

• Aaron Atkins - His dedication to the communication department of Weber is unmatched and has given all of his students many opportunities.
   

• Henry Azubuike - I was worried that Calculus would be really hard but so far the way he has taught has made it seem simple and easy. We work through problems in class together and he makes sure everyone understands.
   

• Alan Baggaley - Mr. Baggaley is always patient when it comes to teaching, allowing everyone to include their thoughts on the topic at hand. For assignments, he provides words of encouragement that make is students strive to do better in his class.
   

• Doug Ball - Mr. Ball was just so helpful all the time, no matter what questions I asked. Even if I forgot something he covered a hundred times, he would always cover it again. Even outside of class, he was always so nice and always stopped to say hello. He is just the nicest guy and helped me pass his class with flying colors.
   

• Mikelle Barberi-Weil - One of the best professors out there! She makes sure everyone has a great time in this class, regardless of their major, and truly makes this class enjoyable and engaging. I used to feel that group projects and class discussions would be stressful and pressurizing, but she completely changed that perspective by involving students, creating a supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable participating and contributing.
   

• Bruce Bayley - Professor Bayley is one the most professional, respectful, and most honest professors I've had. I've taken multiple classes of his and the way Professor Bayley structures the course and grades is truly admirable. If a student is having trouble Professor Bayley will help and answer right away. Professor Bayley gives the right amount of work and lets a student work at a very favorable pace.
   

• John Beal - John Beal is an outstanding professor. Beal has helped me with my writing development, which has substantially grown. He brings great energy to class every morning, even at 7:30 am. Beal has been an outstanding professor of the English language and would love to see him win the award!
   

• Kendal Beazer - He makes the very complex, broad subject of Microbiology fun to attend and learn about. He is very personable and is always willing to help you if life happens and you need to coordinate with him. He also expects a lot from us and makes exams that are very tough, but gives us every resource we could possibly need to succeed on them. I was very nervous to learn molecular diagnostics as well and he has made that very understandable and fun to learn. I have the opportunity of working with him in our Medical Laboratory Sciences club and he is so supportive, helpful and guiding in all of the activities we need decide to organize. 
   

• Dan Bedford (1 of 3 nominations) - He sets an amazing and welcoming environment in the classroom and encourages people learn at their pace and ask questions to help.
   

• Craig Bergeson - He is a great teacher. His lessons are straightforward and clear. His class is challenging, and yet simple and straightforward enough that as long as I do what I need to do, I develop in my skillset and in my confidence with the language. I feel like his class has helped me develop not just in my skills, but also in my confidence. He's approachable, and understanding and really wants his students to learn.
   

• Candace Bielik - I believe this is one of her first semesters teaching and the class size is larger, but she has done a great job of engaging with students and effectively teaching the course material. She always comes to class with a positive attitude, ready to answer any questions we may have. She never makes students feel like their questions are stupid which there are a lot of in health field classes. She has been one of the most effective and kindest faculty members I have interacted with. You can truly tell she enjoys her job and is putting effort into her classes.
   

• Joseph Blake - Joseph has gone above and beyond to make the Therapeutic Dance Certificate accessible to me. He created PLA's for me and is advocating for other test-outs so that I can complete this program quickly. He respects the education and certificates I already have and is planning this program to accommodate my distance learning. He even offered me a scholarship, so that I can finish. He truly believes in me and my abilities as a dancer, medical assistant, and future therapeutic dance educator.
   

• Barrett Bonella (1 of 2 nominations) - As a student, I have experienced Barrett Bonella as a faculty member who truly values and respects student voice. He creates spaces where I feel heard, encouraged to think critically, and supported in bringing my full perspective into the learning process. His approach to teaching and mentorship has helped me grow not only academically, but also in confidence and leadership. Dr. Bonella's genuine care for students and his willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue make a lasting impact on those of us he teaches. 
   

• Tricia Borges (1 of 4 nominations) - Tricia is absolutely one of the best professors I have ever had. Not only did she care about getting you through the semester, but she also cared for you as an individual. She is absolutely the best professor in the nursing program and if I could have her teach every single class there is, I would absolutely jump on it. Being in the nursing program, you become mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. When I personally was struggling, she never failed to make me feel better and help guide me to success. She also made the environment of the classroom welcoming and engaging. I can honestly say I looked forward to the classes she taught because she taught them well to where I was able to grasp on to the content, but she also made it a stress free, non-judgemental environment. I can honestly say that she has changed my outlook on the way professors teach and she has set that bar so high that I don't know if I will ever enjoy taking a class from anyone else like I did her. 
   

• Kellie Bornhoft (Joint nomination)- Though I know this a nomination meant to be given to one faculty member, Sunni Wilkinson and Kellie Bornhoft coordinated on creating an impactful and unique class that should be highly recognized. Together, through many hours of dedication and innovation, they brought together their respective fields and talents and created a class that truly did more for me than any other art class I have ever taken. They made a space where students, with the need to do something with and for the Great Salt Lake, could bring out their passion, concern, knowledge, emotion, creativity, environmental and political activism, love, and more to work together to bring attention to the water and climate change crisis facing our local lake. Like most writers and artists, I feel a need to do something about the local ecological and environmental problems we have brought upon ourselves - but I felt that I was not in the right fields or smart enough to do anything about it. Through these professors, this class, my peers, and the artwork we all created: I can see the enormous influence artists have on creating real local change. I can see how and where this burning need to do something can be brought into existence. I am not an art major, I took this class on a whim because it seemed so intriguing; it is one of the best- if not THE best- classes I have ever taken. I will never ever regret the many hours of work and time spent focusing on the art, writing, and science of the Great Salt Lake. 
   

• Randall Boyle (1 of 2 nominations) - Goes above and beyond preparing the student for the future, jobs, grad school, setting you up with projects for your resume.
   

• Rebecca Brasso - She's an excellent teacher who makes learning easy and interesting. You can tell she's passionate about what she teaches and she makes very nice PowerPoints that are helpful when studying. The labs for her class were something I looked forward - especially the kelp and mercury ones. She is great at explaining concepts that can be confusing and she makes sure students are understanding the material.
   

• Brandi Brekel - As someone who has constantly struggled in math, I get very anxious going into or signing up for these classes. I have failed math classes in the past due to negative experiences with professors. This professor specifically has motivated me to work harder and has taught me that math isn't a subject I tell myself I suck at‚ but it's something that just requires a bit more concentration. I've never realized how easy it is to remember what I have learned by simply sitting there and remembering the basics instead of mentally panicking. She has been more than patient with me this semester and has shown me that retaking exams isn't something to be ashamed about. It's simply an opportunity to try again and learn from my mistakes. She's given me more second chances than I could ask, and a lot of professors would not do that. I am blessed and grateful to know that I have a math professor that finally cares about me succeeding.
   

• Sarah Brew - Dr. Brew heard what her students said in the course surveys last semester and has implemented changes that help to foster a better learning environment.
   

• Shawn Broderick - Dr. B is incredibly understanding and is always there to help. My father passed away and he was there with all the resources I needed and told me not to worry about the assignments and that he would give me an extension. He truly tries his best to get his students to understand all the course material. He offers unlimited help and resources to anyone who needs them. He is also just a really fun professor and gets us engaged by being funny and having lots of different activities.
   

• Hannah Brooks - Hannah made sure that we always understood what she was teaching and took personal time to check over our work to make sure it matched the curriculum. I have never learned more than I did while I was in her class. She was so nice and genuinely cared about us as her students.
   

• Brady Brower - Dr. Brower is engaging in the classroom and you can tell he loves what he teaches. He is always willing to help students out and he wants to see them succeed.
   

• Fon Brown - He's just the GOAT fr fr. No, but in all honesty he's very knowledgeable about the material and is essential to the program here at Weber.
   

• Brandon Burnett - Dr. Burnett not only does a great job teaching his classes in a way that is easy to follow & understand, but he is easy to approach and talk to if any questions arise, even if it's not strictly about the coursework. He's taken time out of his schedule to help me start my own research project with the Chemistry Department, even though he is still teaching classes AND is performing his duties as a chair for the entire Chem Dept. He is always cheerful and makes learning about chemistry so exciting and I really hope that I can take more classes from him before I graduate next spring. It's for these reasons (and plenty more that I could go on about) that I believe Dr. Burnett deserves this award.
   

• Justin Burr - He was a great professor and I miss being in his course. He took a difficult subject and made the material comprehensible and was personal and engaging with me and my classmates.
   

• Natalie Burrell - She helps us learn in fun and memorable ways!
   

• Peter Burt (1 of 4 nominations) - Burt is such an amazing teacher he makes class interesting and engaging. I love how he forms relationships with each student and makes everyone feel like we can go to him if we need. I was a little worried about taking these classes but Burt teaches so well that now I feel confident in this class and the things he has taught.
   

• Catherine Butler (Joint nomination) - They're both great teachers who actually care about students and their learning and growth. Not just robots regurgitating the same scholarly ideas and norms over and over. Their classes are actually enlightening and helpful.
   

• Chloe Cai - Professor Chloe deserves this award for her outstanding teaching in Math 2280: Ordinary Differential Equations and her exceptional problem-solving techniques. She explains complex concepts in clear, logical steps that help students truly understand the mathematics rather than just memorize formulas. Her supportive and engaging teaching style builds confidence, encourages critical thinking, and makes challenging topics more approachable. Through her dedication, patience, and passion for student success, she creates a positive learning environment that inspires growth and a deeper appreciation for mathematics.
   

• Kimberlee Caldwell - This faculty is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am nominating her because during dental hygiene clinic I had a patient who would benefit from extra strength fluoride toothpaste. This patient had a particularly rough year including her toddler passing away unexpectedly and many financial hardships. Professor Kim Caldwell paid for prescription toothpaste and gave an engaging conversation about depression and oral health. I believe this gave my patient the knowledge and strength to protect her teeth and her infant's teeth. Kim Caldwell is one of a kind and a golden member of the dental hygiene staff.
   

• Brendan Call - He is such an amazing teacher, is always available for to help and super kind. I always look forward to going to his class and have so much fun in his class.
   

• Deann Carver - Professor Carver is an incredible teacher who designs her public speaking course to push your comfort zone while making the content enjoyable. I loved every second of her course and she taught me skills that I'll use for the rest of my life.
   

• Valerie Chambers (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Chambers goes beyond her expectations to help students to achieve their goals. I had a hard time with this class and she kept me motivated and ultimately was key to my success.
   

• Rachel Chase (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Chase does everything in her power to ensure the success and genuine learning of her students. She goes out of her way and takes all forms of suggestions and criticism from her students to tune her teaching style to be as beneficial to as many students as possible. She is a consistent communicator with her students and grades her assignments thoughtfully - meaning she consistently gives in-depth feedback and thorough suggestions as to how her students 1. met/exceeded her expectations and 2. could elaborate more to better indicate understanding the material.
   

• Li Chen (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Chen exemplifies what it means to be a professor that cares. She is upbeat, makes lesson material engaging and interesting, and is willing to help whenever a student struggles. On a personal level, she has helped me through numerous projects, including some that were incredibly difficult due to the scope and nature of the project. She was always available, never failed to answer an email, and maintained positivity throughout. I have not only been extremely lucky to have had her as a professor and mentor during the last bit of my BS degree, but I now also consider her a friend. Dr. Chen is an outstanding professor that truly does make Weber State great, great, GREAT.
   

• Matthew Choberka - Matt is an outstanding faculty member and will go out of his way to help his students and give them extensive feedback and discussion, even at the sacrifice of his own time and money. His classes are detailed, whimsical, topical, flexible, and educational. His knowledge in teaching Critical Issues in particular is outstanding, because while he will say that after teaching this class for so long he still doesn't understand all of the things the readings discuss, I don't entirely believe that, as his thoughts around the concepts are more thorough and grounded than I could imagine for such abstract concepts. He is kind to students and understanding of near any situation. I appreciate him and his presence at Weber State and the Art department.
   

• Matt Christiansen - He always helps you look at a mistake that you make and goes into detail on how to answer a question.
   

• Michelle Christensen - Because she makes sure you know the material and pushes you, so you can reach your potential.
   

• Sara Christiansen - Just such a great teacher and always makes the whole class laugh. She also makes learning interesting with her stories.
   

• Arpit Christi - He is just amazing.
   

• Brian Chung - He's an amazing teacher. I'm a sophomore this year and this is the first time I've ever understood science.
   

• Daniel Clark - He is the best and he works hard to make sure his students succeed in life.
   

• Kristen Crandall - She's a great teacher and explains everything very clear and detailed.
   

• Hugo Decampos - He is more than just a teacher.
   

• Andrew Drake - He is the best Professor I have ever taken class with. His lectures are very informative as he uses real life examples and he is always there to support students. He goes beyond and supports students who are falling behind. Course material, lectures, labs - every thing is awesome when he teaches. He genuinely helps students to succeed with his efforts.
   

• Becky Dunleavy - She's the kindest teacher I've had and most willing to help me whenever I need it.
   

• C. Ryan Dunn (1 of 4 nominations) - Dr. Dunn is an incredible professor. He presents the class material in a very understandable and applicable manner. It is clear he is experienced in the field of family studies, and his expertise in the field is of great value in his teaching. He helped us learn how to solve any difficulties we faced in the material. He consistently and positively connects with his students and makes sure they are understanding and feeling confident with the material. He pushed us to go beyond our current knowledge and skills, both with the class material and study in general. Though I am no longer in his class, I feel I could approach him comfortably with questions about the field, the degree, or future academics. I feel more confident and excited about my future as a CFLE because of the way Dr. Dunn runs his class.
   

• Christopher Dunn - This professor made me feel so welcomed and acknowledged me . He supported me and motivated me to keep trying and with his support I was able to complete my math credits.
   

• Shellee Dyer - Dr. Dyer is the most kind, caring, knowledgeable and fun professor I have ever had. She taught difficult content, patiently, very effectively and made it interesting. She was one of the reasons I knew I picked the right degree, and I am forever grateful.
   

• Emric Egbert - The course is easy to get through AND understand. And Professor is extremely responsive.
   

• Chris Eisenbarth - Professor Eisenbarth is one of the best professors I have ever had. He truly cares about his students, how they learn, and is always supportive. His classes are organized, provide other accessible resources, and he is super informative on what he is teaching in his classes. One of my favorite things he does in his class is that he comments on all assignments after they are graded for additional information and positive feedback.
   

• Robert Ferguson (1 of 2 nominations) -  Professor Ferguson consistently demonstrates clarity and precision in teaching critical radiographic procedures and pathology, particularly those requiring immediate recognition in emergency settings. His instruction is well organized, engaging, and supported by high-quality slides that enhance understanding of complex material. He is always punctual and prepared, creating a learning environment that is both professional and motivating. He sets the standard of excellence by example. ... As an educator, Professor Ferguson is deeply committed to student success. He demonstrates genuine care for all students equally, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment while maintaining high academic and clinical standards. He challenges students to stretch beyond their perceived limits, instilling confidence and a belief in their own capabilities.
   

• David Folsom - Professor Folsom does a great job of organizing complex materials in a way that stretches us as students and helps us learn. His lectures are engaging and he involves a lot of students in the class. During lectures he clearly explains why the course material will be beneficial to us in the workforce and in academic settings. His syllabus and canvas pages are neatly organized and make it easy to follow along with the course. He makes himself available and is always very helpful when I need to meet with him for office hours or after class. I always leave his class with a smile. I feel like he cares about me as a student, and he challenges me to learn and understand new topics.
   

• Cindy Foreman - She's so patient and kind, very good teacher, supportive, flexible and caring.
   

• Mary Foss - She is the epitome of a great teacher. She makes class enthusiastic, makes learning fun, and loves her job.
   

• Stephen Francis - Dr. Francis is passionate, humorous, helpful, sweet, and extensively knowledgeable. I recommend to all (even non-History majors) to take his classes. His enthusiasm is palpable, and his want to help is more than apparent. He explores topics with a very open mind, and asks us deep and existential questions of history, and makes us step back and think.
   

• Katie Francom - She is such a professional and amazing teacher and has taught me so much in the little time that I've known her.
   

• Madison Fredrickson - Always thorough and will sit down and help you no matter the time it takes.
   

• Robert Fudge - Robert Fudge is very passionate about the subjects that he teaches along with being very knowledgeable. He is always quick to respond and very accommodating to us students. This is the third class I have taken from him and every one of them has been an amazing experience. I couldn‚Äôt recommend him enough to anyone looking at him being their professor.
   

• Anna Gabur (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Gabur has always brought such strong structure and intention to her classes. She consistently fosters student engagement and participation, and she teaches in a way that keeps you thinking long after the class ends. She pushes her students to think more deeply and to engage with theoretical frameworks in ways that I truly believe will set us up for success, both in the world and in our future graduate studies. I'm genuinely happy she will continue to be part of this program, because sociology offers so many benefits to society, and Dr. Gabur brings that to life in every single class she teaches.
   

• Sara Gailey - I enjoyed how she made the classroom feel like a safe space.
   

• Janelle Gardiner - Janelle is such a great professor and healthcare professional. Her classes are so well-rounded and she is one of my favorite professors. Everyone learns so much from her!
   

• Tye Gardner - Great learning environment, gives good advice, goes above and beyond.
   

• Azenett Garza - Her course was really easy to navigate. I struggle with due dates (I have 2 jobs outside of school) and her class made it easy to see what needed to be done.
   

• Trish Gibbs - I have known Trish as one of my nursing instructors since my very first semester of nursing school back in 2021. Out of all of the nursing courses I've ever taken, classes with her have always seemed to be the most doable, even if the content of the course could be challenging. Trish seems effortlessly encouraging, and I have found that her teaching has real-world applicability every time. I can tell that she reads my work because her feedback is always personalized, and it makes the effort I put into my learning feel more important because I know it's going to actually be seen. She is kind and offers her students a lot of grace, and that example has always inspired me to offer other people grace, too. In my ADN program, I knew she was the type of nurse I wanted to be. During my BSN, she was the type of educated person I wanted to be. So I went on to get my MSN, and then she was the type of educator I wanted to be. Now I am working toward my DNP-PMHNP, and I still think about how gentle Trish is when I wonder what kind of provider I will be. I feel so much relief to see her name in my courses. I hope one day the population I work with and care for feel similarly when they see mine. Trish is, without a doubt, an outstanding faculty member.
   

• Richard Greene - He is an incredible teacher. I normally struggle with online courses because they feel disconnected and often rushed but his Philosophy 1010 online class was very well put together! It's mostly work at your own pace and he has videos that make it feel very personal. He also has all the resources right there in the course so everything is super easy to access! He's amazing!
   

• Dalan Guthrie - Dr. Guthrie teaches so well and helps everyone in choir learn quickly and efficiently. He loves what he does and it really shows in class every day. He's a kind, fun teacher and helps his students sing the best they can, even in warm-ups. I've learned a lot from him already, and I'm sure the rest of the choir members would agree.
   

• Amber Hansen - She is very helpful and inclusive. She made me start to love math a little bit more and succeed in my math problems when i used to second guess everything now im more confident and excited to go to class everyday.
   

• Ty Hatch - Professor teaches us in an outstanding way and very active in class. I am loving the class as of now. He is also super friendly, kind, polite and understanding professor and he knows what he is doing.
   

• Stephanie Heath (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Heath is an outstanding teacher who is dedicated to helping the students learn and succeed in the classroom. Her teaching style is very effective for me; she phrases things in a thought-provoking way that also makes sense. She is also very kind and helpful.
   

• Frederick Henderson - Fred Henderson makes the course a relaxing environment by communicating there is always an open door to talk to him. He has integrated humor into the units and makes me feel like I should take my classes seriously but also have fun. He wants the students to succeed in their future.
   

• Emilee Hendrickson - Emilee cares so much about her students. She is on a first name basis with all of them and knows what is happening in their lives. She takes so much time to go the extra mile for us and she is always happy. She teaches good values with positive energy. She is the best teacher and so many students agree with me. Everyone loves Emilee!
   

• Lynaya Hernandez - Because she takes time out of her day unpaid outside of teaching to make the learning as streamlined and efficient as possible. It shows that she prioritizes our time, not just hers. She is funny, makes class interesting even though it is a dull curriculum at times, and is there to help whenever we need. I had a problem that happened in school but not related to her class, and she was able to help me a ton with it and really change the course of my year. She is so understanding and real and will tell you what you need to hear in a kind but direct way.
   

• Christopher Hoagstrom (1 of 2 nominations) - His flipped class format was helpful and helped considerably with management of tasks and overall stress throughout the semester. Having small weekly quizzes rather than large exams helped me study throughout the week to be sure that I was confident enough to attempt the exam. In class, help throughout lectures was concise and descriptive, which aided in overall understanding of complex topics.
   

• Melissa Hobbs - She is incredibly kind and makes all the things we are learning understood, she makes us feels valued and cared for.
   

• Hailey Gillen Hoke - Dr. Gillen Hoke is an outstanding professor who understands that every student learns differently and makes her classes inclusive and supportive. Her teaching style is clear, approachable and effective, which is why I take as many classes as I can with her. She is understanding, encouraging and has made a lasting impact on my academic experience. I will always look up to her as both an educator and a role model.
   

• Tiffany Hood (1 of 2 nominations) - I have experienced failure in the course that Tiffany is now teaching me. Before her I had a teacher that was not willing to modify teaching style even though students have expressed to them that the way they are teaching is not helping them learn. With Tiffany teaching, she includes lots of learning styles to ensure that all of her students are getting what they need. Even when asked to re-explain or provide additional instruction she does it and makes sure that that student truly understands. It is such a breath of fresh air being in Tiffany's class.
   

• Heather Jackson - She is an incredible teacher that gives great feedback, and knows how to connect with students. Her class is challenging but she creates opportunities for students to provide their best work.
   

• Nancy Jarvis - Nancy was so incredibly kind she was able to help me email professors while I was struggling with my mental health, she gave me career advice, she was able to work with me on due dates for assignments while I was struggling. Nancy also helped many other students who were struggling, she met with many students one on one virtually and through email who were struggling starting college. She helped connect me with two great student mentors who helped give me advice starting college as a freshman. Nancy was one the most kind, caring, influential teachers I've ever had. She made me feel like I could continue in college and she believes in my success and my future.
   

• Michelle Jeffs (1 of 3 nominations) - I have taken several classes from Professor Jeffs at Weber State, and each time I leave her classroom I feel like I have grown in both knowledge and confidence. She has a teaching style that makes even the most complex criminal justice concepts easier to understand, and she ties real-world experiences into her lessons in a way that is both memorable and motivating. ... Because of her encouragement, I feel more determined than ever to pursue a path where I can make a positive impact on people during their most difficult times. Professor Jeffs has shown me how impactful one person can be in this field, and if I am able to have even half the influence on others that she has had on me, I would consider my educational journey, and my future career success.
   

• Angela Johnson - Angela kept the class very organized, stuck with her syllabus, and was great about communicating with her students. She made a great effort to know all of us well, cultivating a professional relationship with my class. She was also able to strike a balance with keeping the course entertaining while maintaining structure. Angela went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had a well-rounded understanding of the course, and she put in the extra mile of work, reminding us about upcoming assignments, exams, and project deadlines. I'm really grateful to have had Angela as my COMM 2110 professor; she is the epitome of "Outstanding Faculty!"
   

• Clint Johnson - His course is set up for success. He is also the most present Professor I have had while enrolled at Weber State!! He wants to see his students succeed.
   

• Cristi Johnson - She has designed a very interactive class that promotes learning and engagement. She is patient, available, and ensures we understand the Math concepts before moving on.
   

• Maddison Johnston (1 of 6 nominations) - Johnston is so kind and considerate when it comes to teaching. In this class we cover very dense and difficult topics but instead of letting us struggle through it alone, she provides us with many different means of learning the different concepts and makes it clear that we shouldn't hesitate to contact her if we still aren't understanding. She takes student feedback and communication very passionately and wants the best for her students. She makes students feel seen and heard through motivation and checkups throughout the course. Her positivity and compassion for us to excel makes this class a little easier to get through and I wouldn't want to take this course with any other professor, she's amazing!!
   

• Charity Jones - Charity has always been a great teacher. She focuses on the needs of her students and wants to see them succeed. Her teaching techniques are supreme. Having Charity as my Math teacher reduces the stress I feel in school overall.
   

• Cynthia Jones - After last semester, I nearly quit college. Professor Jones's class, demeanor, assignments, and so much more make me so excited to continue with my education. This class has given me a safe space to learn about higher education, the world around me, and others' perspectives on them. Because of this, I plan to keep trying my hardest and pushing to get my degree.
   

• Sheree Josephson - Dr. Josephson was my #1 supporter last semester. She is passionate about teaching her students course content, and applying it to our real lives. I especially loved the conversations we had as a class about knowing our rights and learning how we can make positive impacts on the world through a communication law lens. Her feedback on assignments were always on-point -- consisting of specific ways to improve our writing, how to think deeper and critically about real-life issues, and asked us questions about that further developed our thought process. Outside of the classroom, she was always easy to talk to and was an empathetic and motivational person to talk to. She understood that we had lives outside of college, and was always willing to help where she could. Absolutely amazing class and professor.
   

• Damon Joyner - Professor Joyner's lectures are very helpful and make the course content so much easier to understand. I am an online student, and I enjoy the assignments he gives us and, even though I am not particularly interested in the course content, having him as a professor makes the class so much more enjoyable. He also responds to messages very quickly, which I appreciate a lot. I had him last semester, too, and that was a great class. I wish more of my Nutrition classes were offered with him as the professor. He has the course laid out well in Canvas.
   

• Tina Kaminska (1 of 2 nominations) - Tina is so understanding and helpful! She made class super fun and really informative! I really felt like she cared about me and my success!
   

• Doug Kap - Incredible course design, reasonable pacing, quick responses from the teacher and also genuinely helpful resources and answers to my questions.
   

• Loisanne Kattelman - An amazing teacher who takes time to make sure everyone understands. If you aren't' interested in Accounting after taking the class from her than it's probably not for you. She is also very kind and considerate as a person too.
   

• Randall Kent - He is extremely patient and understanding. He is willing to admit when he messes up, and he personalizes the lessons to the students. He is a great storyteller and an even better professor! Just don't get him started on the 1970's....
   

• Stephanie Kimmey - Her passion for art history and archeology creates a genuinely intriguing discussion that allows for deep learning to take place. She truly ignites the excitement in you when discussing the topics because she is so knowledgeable and open to discussion. Her classroom settings feel like safe environments to learn and explore that she so clearly fosters with her teaching style. She is also very willing to work with students and offers so many resources to help us succeed, such as allowing extensions no questions asked up to 2 weeks after the assignment as long as the student selects the new due date within that window and informs her within 24 hours and she is always willing to read our papers and provide feedback prior to submitting if requested. Although I haven't relied on all of those resources, I know they are incredibly valuable options available to my classmates and due to her approachability I know I can always come talk to her if I need something. The before-class readings always coincide perfectly with each lecture and the reflections help me continue building my foundational understanding of the course. Art & Myth will be the last class I take from Dr. Kimmey during my time at Weber State and I already mourn the end of this class as I have learned so much within the first almost half of the semester. Before her classes I was only taking art history courses due to it being required for my degree as a BFA graphic design emphasis student, but I have left her classes with a more nuanced perspective each time.
   

• Sky King (1 of 3 nominations) - Professor King is easily the best professor I have had at Weber so far. He truly cares about his students and making the lectures fun. He encourages everyone to participate in class which has really helped my understanding of the lessons. He also makes sure to always say hi in the hallways and remembers everyone's name!
   

• Clint Kingsley - He really took the time to help each and every one of his students. I learned the most in his class compared to any other class I have taken in my 3 years at WSU.
   

• Brandon Koford - First off, he learned everyones names in the class without name tags. Second, he really made sure we all understood before moving on. He was willing to stay and chat and would take the time to help any student understand the concepts if they were struggling.
   

• Kristen Kohler - She understands how students learn and how a classroom works. She's one of the only teachers that I feel every class period contributes to learning. She's entertaining and keeps the classroom upbeat and positive while making sure learning is happening and that students are on task.
   

• Benjamin Kruger-Robbins - I've taken all of Dr. Kruger-Robbins classes and I can't nominate him enough. Ask anyone in his upper division classes and you'll find that he has a following. That is 100% because of his teaching style and attentiveness as a professor. He is so passionate about what he's teaching, and he makes everyone in the classroom feel like they're involved. To whoever is reading this, I encourage you to shadow one of his classes, or ask any of his students, and you'll instantly understand why I'm nominating this phenomenal professor.
   

• Thom Kuehls - Amazing lecturer, caring, responds quickly.
   

• George Kverdanze (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Kvernadze is dedicated to student success. His modules in Canvas are organized, straightforward and detailed. His teaching is excellent and pacing for concepts is thoughtfully designed for student excellence.
   

• Leah LaGrone - She is consistent with her teaching and helps to push students understandings of history. She's helped me learn a greater understanding of history from different perspectives. She understanding of students and willing to help us succeed. She doesn't want us to fail.
   

• Bailey Larsen (1 of 2 nominations) - Bailey is an amazing teacher! She has so much knowledge and experience that she is willing to share with her students. She goes above and beyond to make sure that they understand the material and feel confident in what they are learning. During lab she went out of her way to prepare us for skills pass-offs and making sure that we felt confident in the actual skill. She is attentive and responsive to her students.
   

• Julie Laub - She really cares not only about the success of her students in the class, but of their success in everyday life.
   

• Emily Lenhardt - She is a thoughtful, engaged professor! She simplifies the content, rather than inundating us with abstract ideas. Our learning is more of a meaningful discussion and she is willing to give constructive feedback. All-in-all I feel trusted as a student and trust her as my educator.
   

• Megan De Leon - Es una persona paciente, amable y ensea muy bien sus cursos
   

• Jordyn Leslie (1 of 4 nominations) - Dr. Leslie is very attentive to her students and makes sure they feel supported in class. Even though her lectures include important information, she often stops to ask if anyone has questions and answers them with respect. She never makes anyone feel bad or unintelligent, and she treats every person with dignity. To make the lessons more exciting, she uses fun activities like Kahoot! games and role-playing where students pretend to be live neurons.
   

• Cameron Lewis (1 of 2 nominations) - I would like to nominate Cameron Lewis for Best Teacher because he truly goes above and beyond for his students. He consistently pushes us just enough to help us grow and improve, while also offering the support we need so that we never feel like we're completely on our own. That balance has made a huge difference in my learning and confidence.
   

• Qiang Li - Li makes us actually learn things about history, in a way that I remember.
   

• Dannon Loveland - Dannon went out of his way, not only once, but twice to ensure I could graduate on time and keep my job. Without him and his efforts, I would be jobless and unable to graduate. Thank you Dannon.
   

• Marrie Mack (1 of 2 nominations) - She is one of the sweetest professors I've ever had. She is very kind, patient, and always willing to help the students. Her positive, supportive comments on every assignment give a lot of motivation to keep doing better.
   

• Makaela Markham - Makaela is an immaculate teacher! She explains things in multiple ways for the students to understand. She talked with us and tried to get to know us (the best you can in a Zoom class), and I always looked ford to class, even though it was math. We are only a month into the new semester as I write this, and I miss her so much already!
   

• Rick Martin - Professor Martin consistently goes above and beyond for his students. He is always available and willing to answer questions about assignments, whether through email, announcements, or extra explanations. He provides clear, helpful feedback that actually helps you improve, and he encourages students throughout the semester to stay engaged and confident in the material. His support and approachability made a challenging subject easier to understand and showed how much he truly cares about student success.
   

• Mitchell McKay - McKay is a blessing from God. He is always at work with a smile, even when he's sick or the weathers bad or he almost slip and fell getting out of his car. McKay is there to teach you and supprot you and be your friend in the class. Even the curriculum wants us to watch videos and do our own work, everyday he goes the extra mile to highlight slides and teach us and explain every concept till we understand it. I don't know what i would do without him emotionally, intellectually, socially. he has helped me come out of my shell in so many ways, and gave me the confidence that I can do hard things. I'm positive I'm not the only life he has changed, McKay is a hard working, talented, and deserving teacher who should win this award.
   

• Heather Merkley - Heather truly cares about her students. She will write letters of recommendation if needed. She makes learning fun and helps you every step of the way. I have been very successful in all the classes she has taught and in the HIM program because of her. She takes the time to get to know her students and that means a lot.
   

• Jamie Meyer - Professor Meyer is absolutely incredible. I am so grateful for her kind and strict guidance. I have learned so much from her about how to be a better writer but also a responsible college student. I am so grateful I have her as my teacher!
   

• Heidee Miller - Heidee is the field liaison for the master of social work students. She is very good at what she does. She stays organized, keeps track of everyone's progress, and collaborates well with community partners. Heidee is kind and compassionate; she extends grace when needed, embodying the spirit of social work. She is in graduate school right now, and I have no clue how she keeps it all together, yet she does so wonderfully. Weber State and the social work program are lucky to have her!
   

• R.C. Morris - His classes are engaging, productive, and a good challenge if you take it seriously. He clearly cares about his students and wants to see them succeed.
   

• Kara Mortensen - Because she was a good teacher and really make the most difficult assignments easy and would explain it really good. all the assignments were being worked in class with the help of the teacher. And she was very understanding.
   

• Joseph Mulligan (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Mulligan has been one of my favorite instructors throughout my educational journey. He made online classes feel fun and motivating, and you can truly tell that he loves teaching. Most importantly, he loves what he teaches, and that passion reflects in his students' engagement. He inspired me to be more outspoken and to strengthen my critical thinking skills.
   

• Leah Murray (1 of 2 nominations) - Was excellent in teaching and understanding. Creative learning and interactive class. Was a great person to debate with and just talk about politics from over the world.
   

• Cora Neal - Cora is super knowledgeable, not just in the realm of statistics, but also in how to teach it. She uses lots of interesting and new teaching practices typically only applied to primary and secondary school but rarely higher education when there's no reason why they shouldn't, and she experiments with what works best for the college setting. She reserves class time for actually practicing the material with us and encourages teamwork in a field that I feel often doesn't. The way she explains things makes a lot of sense intuitively and the way she exemplifies those things makes everything fit into place. I also just find her very engaging as a professor. I don't think I would have done half as well as I did in those classes if I took them from someone else!
   

• Crystal Nelson - She is incredibly nice and has made the content incredibly interesting. Notes are made easy to follow and very easy to engage in, and she gives very quick and detailed feedback on all of our assignments. I learned a lot from her class and enjoyed the time I had in it as well.
   

• Casey Neville - One of the best teachers I've taken classes from. Genuinely wants to help every student he teaches and extremely willing to work with you too!
   

• Monique Nielsen - Mrs. Mo deserves this nomination for a million different reasons. But the most important one of all is her dedication towards teaching and making her students feel cared for, loved, and appreciated. Mrs. Mo never forgets to talk to us about our days or how we are doing because she actually cares. She loves her job and her students can tell. Mrs. Mo is so unbelievably kind and considerate to each and one of us. She loves doing special things for her students to make sure they feel seen and heard.
   

• Olof Nilsson - He is really passionate about what he teaches, and it's apparent in his classes. He is extremely helpful when asked questions, and brings in a ton of cool anecdotes from current research.
   

• Jean Reid Norman - She CARES. She checks in on all her students, puts in effort to help them reach their goals and she helps them with personal matters when they bring them to her if she can help! Amazing woman!
   

• Shawna Noyes - All of the other professors in the nuclear medicine program did their classes once every 3 weeks. Shawna knew that the material could not be covered with only 3 classes out of the semester, and she made the effort to prepare classes weekly for us (while she's already doing full time school herself). Her lectures were in depth and her class is the one that I felt the most confident in my knowledge of after taking it. My knowledge in the other classes are shaky. Anytime I had a question, she would answer it and help me understand why the answer was a certain way. She was courteous, realistic, and a fun professor to work with. I'm so appreciative I had her as a professor for that class.
   

• Michael Olpin - He has been incredibly helpful and understanding. I've learned a lot from his courses, and I'm grateful to have him as my instructor.
   

• Sarah Olsen - It was easy to follow along with her lectures and the class structure was very organized and helpful. She was a really good role model and a hard worker and I loved listening to the real world stories she'd share. Sarah really wants all her students to succeed and is very helpful in guiding us to success.
   

• Craig Oreshnick - I've never had a teacher that is better about individually helping students and making sure that everyone is understanding the subject. He does this on a hybrid class as well which in the past I have had very bad experiences with. This class has been very enjoyable though.
   

• Cody Osguthorpe - Overall, Mr. O is an excellent teacher. He is fun, but knows how to keep the class on task when necessary. Because he shows his students respect, we show him respect, and the class stays productive. The kind of teaching that Mr. O practices is the best kind, at least in my opinion, and I always learn the most from teachers like him.
   

• Carrie Ota - Dr. Ota is a great teacher and I have learned a lot from her course. I think what sets her apart is how she sets up her class. It is something I haven't seen it done so well and it really makes it easier to know what to do and helps the flow of learning.
   

• Pedram Pakseresht (1 of 9 nominations) - Pedram has made any class I have taken with him fun and enjoyable to learn. Usually, fluid mechanics is a very painful class however, under Pedram, I enjoyed every minute of Fluid Mechanics. He is a very intelligent person to know and he is willing to listen to students. I would love to have Pedram teach every class I have to take!
   

• Rebecca Palmer - Dr. Palmer is a phenomenal teacher who cares deeply for her students. She teaches in a way that makes sense to me and is always offering to help us with whatever we need. I can tell she understands chemistry and is really passionate about it, which contributes to her class being very enjoyable.
   

• Katrina Parker - You guys gave her very little to work with for the concurrent enrollment class and she has worked so hard to help us with the limits u put in her.
   

• Gennie Parkman ( 1 of 3 nominations) - Dr. Parkman has been my favorite professor I have ever worked with. She is extremely understanding and helpful. She has taken her personal time to help me understand concepts to make sure that I will be successful in my classes. I have appreciated all her efforts. You can tell that she loves her job and cares for every single one of her students.
   

• Michelle Paustenbaugh - Professor Paustenbaugh is a great instructor that goes above and beyond to make sure that her students understand the coursework. She encourages students to work hard and believe in their academic abilities. She was available to help with any of the classwork and for class advisement. She is prepared for when things don't go to plan for class, and is understanding when a student has life difficulties. I look up to her and value her insight. I don't think I would be graduating without her teaching and advisement.
   

• Kacy Peckenpaugh - Outstanding teacher who prides herself on being engaging and helping her students. Class was never dull and she worked hard to make sure everyone was included. I struggled with writing beforehand. However now I am engaged in writing and no longer stress over writing assignments.
   

• Ambree Penrod - She is such an amazing teacher, her classes are always so fun and she is outstanding at teaching!!
   

• Tyranda Perez - I love that she includes a podcast for us all to listen to. I think it's such a creative nontraditional learning method that I really look forward to. I think that a lot of us listen to podcasts and it is always interesting to learn in that way.
   

• Shane Perry (1 of 3 nominations) - Literally such a great professor and SO knowledgeable. He truly knows what he is teaching us and what we need to know to succeed, I wish every professor taught the way he did!!
   

• Annita Peterson - Activities help me to understand the learning objectives.
   

• Bradley Peterson (1 of 5 nominations) - Easily the most down to earth professor I have ever had. He meets on discord and is always available even at times no other professor would be. He is good at explaining course material while still making you do some of the work to make sure you get the most learning out of his classes.
   

• Mitchell Pilkington - Mitch truly does the most for every student and the CSI program itself. He really makes an effort to get to know and include everyone, and is amazing at making sure everyone understands what is necessary. He will tell you straight up if something is wrong, but will help you get to the right answer and make sure you now understand what you are doing. He makes everyone feel as though he will go the extra mile for them and it makes a difference in class everyday. Great professor and person in general.
   

• William Pollett (1 of 2 nominations) - He's a very compassionate teacher who clearly cares about student understanding, collaboration and improvement as a focus in his class.
   

• Darrell Poore - Professor Poore has helped me with much more than he knows about. I had a rough semester last semester and he was willing to work with me. I had to retake his math class, but I am doing much better this time around and I have him to thank for being so patient with me.
   

• Jared Porter - Jared Porter is extremely well versed in his field. He has spent decades in the practical field, carefully observing and studying the theatrical world. He brings this incredible degree of experience into every classroom he walks into. His passion and drive for the art form are undeniable and he deserves more recognition for his ability to push students to work harder and improve in a more dramatic and meaningful way.
   

• Lance Powell - He makes me feel welcome and like I can ask questions. I love that when someone gets a question wrong he takes the time to make sure they understand.
   

• Richard Price - Dr. Price is always enthusiastic about the subject matter, which tends to rub off on the students, and fosters an environment of forming and articulating opinions rather than memorizing the text or taking lecture notes. He actively encourages us to grapple with both sides of legal debate and decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, according to legal precedent. He is always approachable, receptive to feedback, and truly cares about student development. I have had the good fortune to have Dr. Price as an instructor in each of my semesters at Weber State, and I have truly been shaped by his teaching style and invitation to learn.
   

• Travis Price (1 of 3 nominations) - He was extremely kind and personable. His lectures that he personally added to the course outside of what the heath sciences department put in the course helped me so significantly to pass that class. He was able to make information easy to retain in a notoriously difficult class. I genuinely believe I wouldn't have passed his class if it wasn't for the lectures that he added. He was funny, kind, and delivered the class in a way that was actually engaging and interesting. I really wish there were courses that he taught in my major (MLS), and was disappointed to find out there weren't.
   

• Carrie Quesnell - She is willing to work with my crazy schedule and help me learn the material I miss every Friday when I am at work! She is so understanding and encouraging! I can always tell how much she loves her students and loves the math she teaches!!
   

• Clay Rasmussen - I would like to nominate Dr. Clay Rasmussen because he consistently showed up with great energy & a genuine excitement for helping us become teachers. His passion for education was clear in every lesson & his course was extremely well organized, which made learning meaningful & manageable. I truly loved his lessons because they were engaging, purposeful, & clearly designed with future educators in mind. What stood out most was how often he asked for student feedback & actively sought ways to better support us, showing that he truly cared about our growth and success. His dedication made a lasting impact on my learning & my confidence as a future teacher. Thank you Dr. Rasmussen. You are an inspiration.
   

• Elizabeth Rebarchik - Professor Liz is an amazing teacher and communicator which made an otherwise difficult class easier to go through and understand. Her teaching style and ability to connect with us even though she has so many students is what university should be.
   

• Colette Remy - She makes maths fun and always understand any problems if student is facing. I am in love with maths because of her.
   

• Brad Reyns - Professor Brad Reyns shows excellence in teaching, mentoring, and services. His willingness to provide individualized support, thoughtful feedback, and career guidance has had a lasting impact on countless students. Making sure students are able to reach out to him for any questions. Professor Reyns inspires confidence and curiosity in those he teaches. His dedication, and positive influence on students and colleagues alike makes him an outstanding candidate for this award. His work reflects the highest standards of excellence, and he truly embodies the values this recognition represents.
   

• Michelle Rich (1 of 3 nominations) - Professor Rich was a wonderful math teacher, which is why i took two classes with her. She was so sweet and understanding and made sure that I always understood what was going on in her class. She would always walk around to make sure we all knew what was going on and knew everyone on some kind of personal level. She made sure everyone succeeded in her class and cared about all of our futures. I can still go talk to Professor Rich about real in life math situations, and she's always happy to take the time to help me. Out of all the professors i've had at Weber State, Professor Rich is the one that has made the biggest dent/ difference in my life. She is just such an amazing person in and out of the classroom and i think she's really deserving of the award.
   

• Paul Rimmasch (1 of 3 nominations) - Paul is by far one of the best professors that Weber State has. He teaches in a niche program so not everyone is aware of his presence. He is funny, cheerful, and always wanting to help students succeed. If a due date doesn't work for a student, that can be flexible, as long as the student grasps the concept of the lesson. There are no professors and very few teachers I've had better than Mr. Rimmasch. He absolutely deserves an award.
   

• Mary Rindlesbach - She is an excellent professor, very intelligent and always quickly answers any questions. Always gives amazing feedback and critiques.
   

• Nathan Rives - This faculty member s very passionate about what and why he teaches. He is beyond knowledgable and his courses were very demanding but facilitated a plethora of learning. He is also inspiring without a doubt and I hope to be a professor like Dr. Rives one day!
   

• Jessica Robison - She is so amazing at what she does. She teaches in a way that is understanding for everyone in the class. She will sit on a topic until everyone understands. She really does care about her students and it shows in her teaching. She deserves this award for so many reasons. She is overall such a amazing teacher, human, and someone I look up to in my nursing career.
   

• Staci Rogers - She is a great teacher.
   

• Valentinas Rudys - Good teaching skills.
   

• Melinda Russell-Stamp - On top of just being an amazing human Dr Stamp tries her best to do what she can to make sure her students succeed. She is very accommodating of times when students have life happen to them. She has graciously provided me with recordings when nursing school gets in the way of my psychology minor and I have to miss class. Dr stamp also has a gift for actually teaching which is something that can unfortunately be lacking in university faculty, her, lectures are clear and concise and she sets clear expectations for what we are responsible for learning. She also has very well designed assignments designed to teach rather than be busy work. She does lots of case studies designed to get us familiar with the process of treating and diagnosing mental illnesses rather than than just giving us lots of busy work assignments the way many other teachers have.
   

• Lynette Sandoval (1 of 2 nominations) - Lynette is an open minded individual and taught multiple different ways to help each of her students to understand. She made us think through our work if we needed help and reassured us if we were struggling by showing us more than one way of doing the work.
   

• Elizabeth Sandquist - Thanks to Dr. Sandquist, this was my first time truly applying what I learned in class to real situations. The weekly quizzes helped strengthen both my memory and my grades, and the material has stayed with me. Her teaching continues to help me understand concepts deeply rather than wasting time on memorization, and it even helps me explain the material in other classes.
   

• Elaine Schnabel (1 of 3 nominations) - I keep nominating Schnabel for things because I truly believe she deserves every award in existence. She's an incredibly thoughtful and thorough instructor. She's able to take complex ideas and make them relatable and understandable. She commands a classroom yet you know you can always come to her if you need help or need anything re-explained. She's reasonable; she doesn't just have you do things in her class because they are what has always been done. I can write a really long paper with ease but Schnabel didn't have us hit a word count for the sake of a word count; she encouraged us to use the appropriate verbiage to communicate what was necessary. I tell everyone who asks they should take a class from her if at all possible.
   

• Meher Shaikh - Dr. Shaikh is one of the best educators I have come across! Not only does she have real world knowledge of the concepts she teaches, she also possesses the profound ability to teach complex topics in a form that is understandable and enjoyable. It is apparent in her teaching, and interactions with students, that she is deeply invested in each student's learning and success. What sets her apart from other educators is her ability to provide a learning environment that possesses an abundance of understanding, compassion, and support.
   

• Sally Shigley (1 of 2 nominations) - Dr. Shigley curates a perfect learning environment that encourages safe and open discussions. She respects all of her students and their time.
   

• Kimber Simons - Kimber was an amazing teacher who built the class to better our education and understand the information. She was very welcoming and made you feel comfortable tutoring and seeking help to further understand the material. She is an exceptional teacher who is very easy to seek help from. She had an open door and took the time to make sure you understood what you were struggling with. She would ask what she could do to make class better and gave great tools to succeed. She was an amazing professor who made each student feel important and that she cared about how we were doing in class and outside of class. She made sure that we prioritized our mental health and were doing okay while taking such a hard class. She gave us tools that the Weber has to help us with our mental health and anxiety and how to deal with it. She made sure we knew all the resources for tutoring and seeking help to further understand the material. She is an exceptional professor and I can't think of another professor that would be a better choice.
   

• Michele Skopec (1 of 4 nominations) - Dr. Skopec is the most engaging and kind professor I've had in 4 years at WSU. She really cares about the subjects she teaches and always somehow seems happy to be teaching. All the projects we do in class are original and interesting, and I'm so grateful Dr. Skopec is always willing to help with anything. It also just means so much that she's willing to laugh and have fun with the class :)
   

• J.D. Speth - Somehow managed to be incredibly involved while teaching an entirely online class. In constant communication with his students and offers a bunch of resources, despite the class being entirely online. His coursework encourages students to develop genuine interest and curiosity about the subject, rather than just cramming need-to-know information for a test. He keeps the information fun and exciting with jokes and tidbits.
   

• Cody Squadroni - Cody's Canvas class designs are very consistent, giving an easy and predictable experience for where assignments and learning materials are located, as well as consistency in what is expected each week. This is extremely helpful for the online classes! The Discord server for his classes is very helpful when you run into issues, as other class members can easily respond and discuss, and he is very prompt with responses and willing to spend time to help students with any issues they may have with any of the assignments or course material. He spent a couple hours helping me debug something in WEB3810 the other day. It's clear that he cares about supporting his students.
   

• Shannon Stapley - Having history early in the morning is already difficult, though Stapley makes it fun and exciting. I enjoy walking into a room where all ideas are accepted, from most random questions to ironic jokes. This class is one of my favorites because Stapley has the most positive, energetic, and comforting attitude, even when most students are sleepy or unattainable, she makes it possible for us all to have a good time and enjoy learning about our history and getting us ready for the future.
   

• Lisa Stevens - She makes class entreating and I learn a lot.
   

• Mark Stevenson - He has been so helpful in acquiring my degree, and with doing my research for my capstone.
   

• Christopher Taylor - Mr. Taylor makes history more interesting than it already is and is always ready to explain things in more detail.
   

• Derek Taylor - He's polite and very helpful towards his students, making us feel welcome in his class.
   

• Lauren Thomas - Listened to student concerns and adjusted assignment due dates and tests.
   

• Kaori Takimura - Great teacher. Respectful and knowledgeable. Course is designed well, and always informative.
   

• Shae Tervort - Ms. T manages to keep us learning, while also letting us have a more social environment, and even engaging in it herself. I love the sense of community in our class.
   

• Bryant Thompson - Bryant has an extraordinary ability to teach his classes in an engaging manner. His class was one of my favorite classes I have taken at Weber State, which is saying a lot.
   

• Justin Thygerson - Dr. Justin Thygerson consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to student learning within the OEHS program. He brings real-world experience into the classroom, making complex occupational and environmental health concepts practical, engaging, and relevant. Dr. Thygerson is deeply invested in his students' success, offering mentorship, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback that extends well beyond course requirements. His commitment to teaching excellence and student advocacy makes him truly deserving of the Outstanding Faculty Member Award.
   

• Samantha Tietjen - Samantha was such an engaging professor, her passion for teaching showed in her lectures. Her lectures gave you all the information needed to succeed in the course. Samantha was so intelligent and had the ability to explain difficult concepts in a manner that was easy to understand. She was also very kind and students knew she was supporting us throughout the semester. Best instructor I have ever had!
   

• Kerry Tobin - He is the "Rock" of W.S.U.
   

• JoAnn Tolman (1 of 2 nominations) - She is so amazing! She has such a calming affect and is very conducive to helping students succeed. Amazing teacher and sweet person.
   

• Alicia Trump - Alicia is very sweet to all of her students and really wants them to learn and grow as a dancer. She helps build students' confidence and really shows she cares about them.
   

• Katrina Twing - I have taken other classes with her as well; she has been an amazing mentor and professor to me. With her I have gained a lot of academic knowledge and felt personal growth while perusing my bachelor's degree on Microbiology.
   

• Justin Valdez (1 of 2 nominations) - Advised me when I had a difficult time turning in assignments. He was super understanding and now I'm redoing my classes for a passing grade. Justin also helped a lot with understanding my RHS pathway.
   

• Megan Van Deventer (1 of 2 nominations) - She makes the class relatable and helps us see new ways of reading and the greater movement of literacy. She makes everyone feel a crucial part of the class. Every class time and activity feels meaningful. Accountability is a huge part of her curriculum.
   

• Sherri Vasas - Well-structured class with great tools to succeed and retain information to really be able to teach back to others.
   

• Lizbeth Velazquez- Dra. Velazquez has been a wonderful professor to have in both undergrad and grad school. She creates an environment that is safe and allows for everyone to have a voice. She cares a lot about students and works with students to ensure that they succeed in whatever class she teaches. I look up to her and she inspires me to continue my education.
   

• Steven Vigil - Vigil does a great job of making class fun and engaging. I also like that he's direct and tells us about the realities of being in the social work field. He also makes me feel like he cares about us and is always willing to help out if we ask. Lastly, I like that he is very authentic and is proud to be who he is.
   

• Morgan Voet (1 of 5 nominations) - Morgan is not just an educator of students, she is a developer of leaders. In the First Year Experience program, she helps mentor the mentors; mentors are upperclassmen leaders in the FYE 1105 classes who co-teach with professors and instructors. Through the FYE program, she mentors students who want to better themselves and give back to the community. She goes above and beyond her duties as assistant director of the program by coaching her mentees on how to take care of themselves and sustain themselves through difficulties in life ... Morgan Voet's coaching is one of the reasons I kept choosing to come back and finish my degree; to come back after setbacks, to come back after personal defeats, to come back after loss, and to come back stronger and empowered to help others do the same. This is why I feel she is a shining example of what an Outstanding Faculty Member should be.
   

• Jodi Waddoups (1 of 2 nominations) - Jodi is an amazing teacher. Jodi makes you feel seen and makes sure you are taken care of. Jodi gives you all the resources you need and is always available for help when needed. Jodi is great to work with and makes you feel so confident. Jodi always makes it a great day. Having Jodi as a teacher is so beneficial to your learning. She doesn't just teach, she helps you understand. She is AMAZING!!!!!
   

• Ranga Don Wahalathantrige (1 of 3 nominations) - Dr. Don teaches one of the hardest courses you can teach for an undergrad, yet he explains everything perfectly and goes out of his way to make sure you understand. I always felt comfortable to reach out and ask questions. Every time I see him around campus, he is always surrounded by students, which goes to show how much his students love and respect him.
   

• Edward Walker (1 of 2 nominations) - Not only is Dr. Walker amazing at making biochemistry exciting (which is hard to do), he goes above and beyond for his students. Dr. Walker has helped me with research outside of class curriculum and makes students feel he genuinely cares. Dr. Walker is very good at his job, but he's an even better person.
   

• Kelley Walker - She makes this class as entertaining as she can be and she is a very good listener on the days when you just need to rant about life. She also makes learning enjoyable and I feel like I would not enjoy this class as much if it was anyone else teaching it simply because you can tell she loves her job and her classes.
   

• C. David Walters - He is great at greeting students at the door, knowing their names, & letting students express their thoughts comfortably. He randomizes seats, which has multiple benefits. He lets us review the last assignment, and makes sure we understand it before he moves on (great scaffolding). He shows the objectives, and follows them. He is effective at working through questions with us. He exemplifies many characteristics, tricks, and skills that are positive and effective strategies for teachers to implement. Super friendly, and he helps create a comfortable and fun learning environment.
   

• Jonathan Ward - This teacher helped me through math more than any teacher before. He was extremely patient and made learning not only engaging and fun, but also presented it in a way that was simple enough to understand.
   

• Brent Warnock - He really cares about his students and goes the extra mile; he is an amazing professor.
   

• Vanessa Watts - Dr. Vanessa Watts is not only a wonderful professor, but also an incredible mentor who consistently goes above and beyond for her students. Her commitment to teaching is clear both in and out of the classroom, ensuring that students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to succeed. Dr. Watts creates a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, expressing ideas, and growing both academically and personally. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Watts is a reliable and compassionate mentor who genuinely invests in her students' success. She is always willing to offer guidance, support, and reassurance, whether it involves academics, professional development, or personal growth. Her care and support have made a lasting impact. Dr. Watts embodies what it means to be an outstanding faculty member, and she is truly deserving of this award.
   

• Drew Weidman - He's just awesome. The way he explains class material is outstanding and he makes sure everyone is on the same page and understands.
   

• Jordan West (1 of 4 nominations) - He is passionate about his job, he cares about all of us and our learning. He creates such a fun and amazing environment for learning. He teaches in a way that is fun and it really helps me remember hard topics. He's a 10/10 professor.
   

• Randal Wheeler - Could be the greatest math teacher of all time.
   

• Cheyney Wheelwright (1 of 3 nominations) - She is one of the BEST English professors in our university. I love the way she explains everything and it‚Äôs so easy to understand as well as her classes are so fun to be in.
   

• Sunni Wilkinson (Joint nomination) - Though I know this a nomination meant to be given to one faculty member, Sunni Wilkinson and Kellie Bornhoft coordinated on creating an impactful and unique class that should be highly recognized. Together, through many hours of dedication and innovation, they brought together their respective fields and talents and created a class that truly did more for me than any other art class I have ever taken. They made a space where students, with the need to do something with and for the Great Salt Lake, could bring out their passion, concern, knowledge, emotion, creativity, environmental and political activism, love, and more to work together to bring attention to the water and climate change crisis facing our local lake. Like most writers and artists, I feel a need to do something about the local ecological and environmental problems we have brought upon ourselves - but I felt that I was not in the right fields or smart enough to do anything about it. Through these professors, this class, my peers, and the artwork we all created: I can see the enormous influence artists have on creating real local change. I can see how and where this burning need to do something can be brought into existence. I am not an art major, I took this class on a whim because it seemed so intriguing; it is one of the best- if not THE best- classes I have ever taken. I will never ever regret the many hours of work and time spent focusing on the art, writing, and science of the Great Salt Lake.
   

• Kylie Williamson - She is the best to describe how to English is really taught.
   

• Ariel Wilson - Ariel is a fabulous teacher! Kind, caring, and really cares about her students learning, mental health, and helping them look into the future for opportunities.
   

• McKenzie Wood - She was so sweet, kind, and had a great passion for what she was teaching! She made the class fun, and made me want to show up everyday. She gave great feedback that helped me grow, and always made sure to comment on our assignments! Her class was structured great, and it was easy to follow. Her class activities were fun too. She was overall a great teacher with a passion in what she was teaching and it made the class so much more fun to go into, she didn't make it feel like a chore going into her class, she made it fun!