Seven NCSSM faculty members have been chosen as winners of this year’s UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions of faculty members at each UNC System institution and come with prizes ranging from $1,125 to $12,500, were presented in an awards ceremony on NCSSM’s campus on February 7, 2018, by Chancellor Todd Roberts.

Dean of Science and Instructor of Biology Amy Sheck was selected by a committee of her colleagues for the 2017-2018 Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching award. This annual award comes with a $12,500 prize. Chancellor Todd Roberts, in announcing the award, noted that Sheck is not only a leader in the classroom, but is also extensively involved in outreach efforts and is a fervent proponent of recruitment, inclusion, and support of girls in science and allied fields.

Sheck, who has been at NCSSM for 17 years, has taught courses ranging from Research in Biology and Evolution with Special Topics to a Science Communication Seminar and a SCUBA Theory and Marine Studies Seminar, in addition to serving as Dean of Science since 2011.

Outside of the classroom, Sheck works hard to foster professional connections with area universities and labs, forging relationships that support student research and bringing in guest speakers from around the state and beyond. At NCSSM, Sheck designed the TEDxNCSSM conference, and created a new student leadership position focused on science communication. Sheck currently also serves as Executive Director of the NC Student Academy of Science, organizes the NC Science and Engineering Fair for Region 3b, and serves as chaperone and mentor for students participating in various state, national, and international competitions.

One of her colleagues at NCSSM notes, “Amy is a highly effective educator and mentor, and has dedicated the last two decades to serving students both in the classroom and in the community.”

Sheck has previously been the recipient of UNC BOG Teaching Awards, winning the award for Exceptional Contribution: Scholarship in 2010, and Outstanding Teacher Award in 2014.

During an awards ceremony on February 7, 2018, Roberts also presented Dean of Distance Education Jamie Lathan and Music Instructor Phillip Riggs with the 2017-2018 NCSSM Outstanding Teacher awards, with a prize of $2,500 each.

Instructors winning the 2017-2018 awards for Exceptional Contributions are:

• Classroom Innovation: Instructor of Forensic Science Candice Chambers

• Outreach: Instructor of Music Scott Laird

• Scholarship: Instructor of Humanities John Woodmansee

• Service to Students: Instructor of Biology Kim Monahan

Each of the Exceptional Contribution awards include a $1,125 award.

Previous Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching award winners:

2016-17: Bob Gotwals

2015-16: Philip Rash

2014-15:  Noreen Naiman

2013-14:  Jonathan Bennett

2012-13:  Maria Hernandez

2011-12:  Elizabeth Moose

2010-11:  John Kolena

2009-10:  Myra Halpin

2008-09:  Ginger Wilson

2007-08:  Dan Teague

Previous Outstanding Teacher award winners:

2016-17: Jackie Bondell, Julie Graves

2015-16: Cheryl Gann, Meredith Murphy

2014-15:  Bob Gotwals, Scott Laird

2013-14:  Philip Rash, Amy Sheck

2012-13:  Jonathan Bennett, Martha Regalis

2011-12:  Christine Muth, Noreen Naiman

2010-11:  Maria Hernandez, John Woodmansee

2009-10:  John Kolena, Elizabeth Moose

2008-09:  Myra Halpin, Chuck Roser

2007-08:  Joe Liles, Ginger Wilson