LSU Shreveport honors five in Most Outstanding Faculty awards
After celebrating LSUS's third straight semester of record enrollment, Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith credited the university's growth to the dedication of its faculty and staff.
According to a press release, three faculty members were selected based on their teaching capabilities and accomplishments, with one faculty member each chosen for their service and their research. The three teaching winners included Dr. John Harrison (Leadership Studies), Dr. Zhonghui 'John' Wang (Computer Science) and Dr. Richard Watson (Computer Science).
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'(Harrison) is an invaluable mentor to students and takes the time to understand their individual strengths and challenges, offering tailored guidance that extends far beyond the curriculum,' Harrison's nomination read.
The release stated that since Wang arrived in LSUS's computer science department in 2022, he has been credited with enhancing course offerings and improving instructional delivery.
'(Wang) is deeply committed to pedagogical excellence,' the nomination stated. 'He is a dedicated, compassionate, and hard working professor who consistently goes above and beyond for his students.'
The release added that Watson, the computer science department chair, has grown both the undergraduate and graduate programs since arriving in 2020.
'Drawing on a deep understanding of pedagogy and curriculum development, (Watson) guides faculty in fostering an environment of academic excellence,' Watson's nomination read. 'His experience enables him to offer insightful support to both new and seasoned educators, ensuring continuous improvement in teaching practices.'
Dr. Heather Carpenter (Nonprofit Administration) received the service award, while Dr. Minseong Kim (Marketing and Information Systems) took home the research award.
'Broad and deep commitment to university service, community engagement, and professional leadership makes (Carpenter) an outstanding candidate for a service award,' the nomination stated. 'She is a dedicated, professional and compassionate colleague who is consistently willing to provide high quality service.'
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According to the release, Kim has quickly established himself as a research magnet since coming to LSUS in 2019. He has ranked in the top two percent of his Sports, Leisure, and Tourism field in each of the last three years.
'What an incredible accomplishment for an untenured faculty member who received his doctorate only in 2019,' Kim's nomination read. 'He's conducted impactful research with an H-index of 39 and a total of 4,850 citations.'
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