PNWU Hosts Inaugural University Faculty Awards Ceremony

Janelle Mapes, PhD, Associate Professor of Anatomy

This award is given to faculty who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in teaching.

Recipients of this award strive to enhance student learning as they continually seek ways to improve their teaching. Award winners have a record of supporting student success using evidence-based instructional approaches, innovative technology, and/or creating high-impact learning opportunities. They also have positive peer and student feedback illustrating the effectiveness of their teaching (could be based on student surveys, peer reviews, and annual reviews).

These faculty also demonstrate a commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) on campus and in the lecture hall.

Nomination Notes

“Dr. Mapes performs above and beyond as a teacher.”

“She has been a great mentor and instructor, providing cues and pearls of knowledge to enhance the teaching ability of our new faculty.”

“Dr. Mapes has continued to be a student favorite, receiving high marks on the student evaluations from course to course.”

“She explains concepts concisely and clearly.”

“Dr. Mapes can break down complicated material into understandable concepts while at the same time making the learning meaningful through her individualized teaching approaches.”

“Dr. Mapes’ commitment to DEI is unparalleled. She strives to support diversity, advocates for equity, and promotes inclusion within the walls of PNWU and the community.”

“I greatly respect Dr. Mapes’s teaching ability; she is an example for all faculty to follow, not only those assigned to her mentorship.”

“She is the perfect candidate for the inaugural President’s Award for Teaching.”

Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE, Professor of Nutrition

This award recognizes faculty whose contributions to their disciplines have been exemplary.

Through original work in research and scholarship, they have generated knowledge or produced work that supports and promotes the PNWU mission. These faculty have made significant research contributions to PNWU’s culture of scholarly inquiry; helped advance their field; applied for external funding sources; functioned as mentors to students and colleagues; and/or served as a leader in research and scholarly enterprises.

Their scholarly agenda serves as a model for their colleagues and students through maintaining high standards of excellence and professionalism within the institution and beyond.

Nomination Notes

“She has been an incredibly supportive mentor and proactively reaches out to students to find how she can support their goals for the project.”

“Her focus is on highlighting students’ strengths and facilitating learning opportunities for students new to research.”

“PNWU has Dr. Briggs Early to thank for many of the advances in research we have made in the past few years.”

“Dr. Briggs Early has proven an invaluable resource to countless students seeking research opportunities.”

“She’s thoughtful in finding projects that are relevant to the students’ interests which helps student to remain engaged throughout the academic process.”

“Dr. Early strikes a careful balance as an advisor, guiding students, offering help when needed, and providing insightful feedback.”

“Dr. Early is constantly pushing into new areas of research.”

“Dr. Early’s pioneering spirit continually opens new opportunities for students.”

“Working with Dr. Early in my scholarly activity has been a highlight of my pre-clinical education here at PNWU.”

William Elliott, MD, PhD, Chair of Biomedical Sciences

Distinguished Professor is the highest academic recognition bestowed on a professor of long-standing employment and continued excellence.

The individual will hold the rank of Professor and will have served PNWU for at least seven (7) years with outstanding accomplishment in teaching, scholarly activity, and/or service and have achieved regional, national, and/or international prominence. A faculty member designated as a Distinguished Professor will carry the title throughout the balance of their career at PNWU.

The practice of awarding distinguished professorships emphasizes the University’s commitment to excellence in discovery, learning, and engagement and promotes PNWU’s mission.

This title is conferred on an occasional basis, as appropriate.

Nomination Notes

“He has demonstrated exceptional dedication to teaching and scholarly contributions.”

“Dr. Elliott has developed comprehensive, consistent, and up-to-date materials to benefit student learning.”

“He has demonstrated ability to engage and challenge students to critical thinking in pharmacology, internal medicine, and preventative medicine.”

“Dr. Elliott is the hardest working faculty member in the COM.”

“He consistently delivers high quality lectures and edits the pharmacology and Family Medicine handbooks that combined are over 4,000 pages of critical information for students.”

“Dr. Elliott is unique in that he has the clinical knowledge AND the scientific understanding to cover almost any area of medicine.”