Amy J. Stichman, associate professor of practice and graduate director in the Department of Criminal Justice, has been selected for NDSU’s prestigious Odney Excellence in Teaching Award. She will be recognized during the university’s Celebration of Faculty Excellence, scheduled for Thursday, May 10, at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Plains room.
The annual award was established with the NDSU Development Foundation and Alumni Association by the family of the late Robert Odney to recognize outstanding faculty teaching. The honoree is selected from a pool of nominations submitted by students.
Award candidates are considered based on their ability to stimulate interest in the subject matter, present course material in a clear and suitable manner, demand rigorous thought, generate enthusiastic responses from students and make positive contributions to the educational experience of NDSU students.
According to a nomination letter by doctoral student Antonia Curtis, Stichman is the ideal candidate. Curtis observed Stichman’s teaching abilities first-hand, taking four of Stichman’s graduate courses and serving as her teaching assistant for five semesters.
“Dr. Stichman is one of the most outstanding professors I have had during my academic career, and she excels in the area of teaching,” Curtis wrote. “Dr. Stichman does an excellent job of not only teaching the subject matter at hand, but also inspiring students to continue to learn more about the topics outside of class on their own.”
Curtis noted that two of Stichman’s students in the Gender and Justice seminar were motived to conduct a research study about interpersonal violence against women.
Curtis described Stichman as an outstanding role model for students.
“Since her teaching style is excellent, I pattern my own classes after hers. She has also taken the time to observe me in the classroom, giving me constructive advice which I have gladly taken,” Curtis said. “I strongly believe her influence has made my own teaching better.
Stichman, who joined the NDSU faculty in 2007, earned her bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and her master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Cincinnati.
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