Recognizing an Inspiring Instructor

TBD

TBD

TBD

University Center announces the selection of Liz Heeren and Patricia Ahmed as the winners of the 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award. They were both presented with the award at UC's annual Welcome to Fall event on September 16, 2014.

Dr. Ahmed has been an SDSU Instructor for 4 years and credits her most valued experience as working one-on-one with students and helping them to achieve their academic and career goals. Additionally, she has set up a research internship with the SDSU Data Center here at UC allowing mentees to present their research at the SDSU undergraduate research showcase as well. She also enjoys working with newly arrived immigrant students who are new to the academic system and face a variety of challenges. Dr. Ahmed’s interests include comparative/historical sociology, deviance, cross-cultural sociology, and globalization. In conjunction with these interests she has conducted fieldwork in South Asia, Egypt and Mexico. Her publications include articles in Social Forces, the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy and Connections.

Liz Heeren is an SDSU Visual Art Assistant Professor (since 2002). She earned an MFA in painting at the University of South Dakota in 2007, an MA in art theory at the University of Arizona in 2000 and a BA from Saint Olaf College in 1997. Heeren is Assistant Professor of Art for South Dakota State University and director of Ipso Gallery at Fresh Produce, downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Heeren’s current work incorporates elements of drafting and technical drawing in addition to traditional painting techniques. With a background in biology, Heeren finds inspiration in documenting zones of biological reconfiguration – often times resourcing areas of new construction/development or dwellings that are reabsorbed into the wild.

Jamie Ladonski has been teaching general biology for SDSU at University Center since the fall of 2006. Prior to coming to South Dakota, he worked at the Field Museum in Chicago for nearly six years. His previous teaching experience includes adjunct positions at Lake Michigan College and Ivy Tech Community College. For professional development, he is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Biology Teachers and Association of College and University  Biology Educators. To learn more, check out Jamie Ladonski's Website.