Luke Taylor: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences selects 14 for excellence awards

Feb. 6—Welcome to "Illini Insider," your regular dose of University of Illinois news from beat writer Luke Taylor. Fresh out of college himself, he's always looking for story tips, photo ideas and social media mentions. Email him at ltaylor@news-gazette.com and he'll give chase.

Fourteen individuals — including professors, grad students, lecturers and one advisor — have been selected for awards from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for Graduate Teaching Assistants

is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Political Science. He runs discussion sections for Introduction to Politics, Introduction to Political Theory, and others. "Seongjoon painstakingly reviews lecture material, identifies what is missing, and develops lesson plans to close those gaps," wrote Jeffery Mondak, James M. Benson Chair in Public Issues and Civic Leadership.

ANNAH FREUDENBURG is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of English. She teaches composition courses that have standardized formats, but Freudenberg is known for keeping all of her classes interesting. Wrote student Jess Zhang, "From brainstorming to refining arguments, organizing paragraphs, and citing sources, Annah is always open-minded and values our ideas."

LUCÍA SÁNCHEZ-GILBERT is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese. She has served as the main instructor of 10 different Spanish classes, many of her own design. "Specific resources and skills (Sánchez-Gilbert) taught me in SPAN 228 have been essential to my current work as a translator for the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic writing flyers and emails to connect with our patients," wrote former student Elisabeth Martin.

LISA LOUISE SURBER is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. She has taught a range of courses, from IB 104: Animal Biology to IB 302: Evolution and IB 329: Animal Behavior. Professor and department head Becky Fuller wrote that Surber possesses skills that make her an exceptional instructor. "She believes to her core that all students can learn and achieve," Fuller wrote.

GABRIELA TSCHOLL is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Communication. She has taught some of the department's most challenging courses. "Gabby's teaching is grounded in clear communication with students and thoughtful listening," wrote professors Cara Finnegan and Leanne Knobloch.

WALTER VENERABLE III is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Psychology. He has taught and revised Psychopathology and Problems in Living and Introductory Psychology. "Walter gave me a safe space... where I was able to vent, recollect, and recommit to my goal," wrote former student Stacey Renteria.

LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

STEFAN DJORDJEVIC is assistant director of undergraduate studies and director of advising in the Department of History. He receives a lot of credit for growth and expansion in the undergraduate program. "I have never seen someone so passionately dedicated to the undergraduate experience and so willing to run through walls, grind through processes, and otherwise do anything and everything possible to help students," wrote history professor Marc Hertzman.

LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for Instructional Staff

KONSTANTINOS (KOSTAS) KOURTIKAKIS is a teaching associate professor in the Department of Political Science. He teaches in the department and affiliated campus units, specializing in European politics. Kourtikakis has been on the list of teachers ranked as excellent 58 times. "I consider him to be an integral component of my academic career," wrote a former student now at the U.S. State Department.

JULIE PRICE is a lecturer in the Department of English. For more than 23 years she has taught poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and a trauma writing workshop, which has become one of the department's most-sought courses since she created it in 2016. "It's taken me many years to find (my voice as a writer), but the spark began in Julie's classroom nearly 20 years ago," wrote former student Steven Louie.

LAS Dean's Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

BRIAN DILL is a professor in the Department of Sociology. He is known for sustained excellence, innovative teaching, and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. "He seems to have a gift for connecting students to new information in diverse ways so as to 'cover all the bases' and engage students who possess different learning styles," wrote Reuben May, head of the Department of Sociology.

ALEX HARMON-THREATT is a professor in the Department of Entomology. She has become one of the most engaged and sought-after instructors and research mentors in the School of Integrative Biology. "I reflect on my experiences with her often when ... consulting with my own students and research assistants, hoping to capture the same excitement and dedication that she demonstrated regularly," wrote a former student, Nicole Wonderlin.

PRASHANT JAIN is the G. L. Clark Professor of Physical Chemistry. He teaches lecture and laboratory courses in physical chemistry, which are commonly regarded with anxiety by undergraduates. Jain has consistently received excellent teaching evaluations, however. "Because he loves the subject himself I was able to enjoy the subject more as well," one student wrote in support of Jain's nomination.

HINA NAZAR is a professor in the Department of English. Her teaching evaluations were remarkable even during online-only phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alumna Chelsea Hill wrote that Nazar let students know "that she cared about our lives, and wanted to help us not only connect with the material, but succeed in the face of ... the depression, anxiety, loneliness, and illness."

CHAREE THOMPSON is a professor in the Department of Communication. She teaches Interpersonal Health Communication, which examines how people talk about physical and mental health. "Dr. Thompson is always joyous, understanding, and very organized," wrote a student, Lonye Allen. "She makes the room comfortable with the vibrant energy she brings."