University of Florida Graduate Student Teaching Award winners

Congratulations to the 20 graduate students selected as the University of Florida Graduate Student Teaching Award winnners for 2019-2020.

The graduate students were nominated by their departments and were evaluated by the Graduate Student Teaching Awards Committee.

Each student submitted a teaching portfolio, including teaching philosophy and teaching evaluations, and was observed by two members of the committee.

2019-2020 Winners

• Akieba Allen – Theatre and Dance
• Richard Brust – History
• Tara Mercurio Counts – Family, Youth and Community Sciences
• Lisa Emerson – Microbiology and Cell Science
• Kaitlyn Erhardt – Psychology
• Melissa Fenton – Family, Youth and Community Sciences
• Scarlett Godinez – Chemistry
• Ethan Kutlu – Linguistics
• Joana Guerrero-Rodriguez – Spanish & Portuguese Studies
• Keifer MacDonald – Theatre and Dance
• Alicia McGrew – Natural Resources and Environment
• Victoria McNeil – Psychology
• Caroline Parks – Geography
• Anthony Pastore – Chemistry
• Moinul Rahat – Physics
• Gerald Robinson – Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
• John Streese – Mathematics
• Ashley Watts – Mathematics

The top two graduate students received the Calvin A. VanderWerf Award:

• Dina Benbrahim – Art and Art History
• Kendall Craig – Chemistry

This award was established in memory of Dr. VanderWerf, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 1971-1978 and chemistry professor from 1978 to 1988. Dr. VanderWerf served for many years on the selection committee.

Members of the Graduate Student Teaching Awards Committee:

• Constance Shehan, Chair – Professor Sociology and Women’s Studies – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Julie E. Dodd – Professor Emerita of Journalism – College of Journalism and Communications
• Mary Ann Eaverly – Professor of Classics – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Martin Gundersen, Jr. – Associate Professor Emeritus of Architecture – College of Design, Construction and Planning
• Valeria D. Kleiman – Associate Professor of Chemistry – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Gillian Lord – Professor of Spanish and Portuguese Studies – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Frank Nordlie – Professor Emeritus of Biology – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Jon Reiskind – Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Lynn Sollenberger – Distinguished Professor of Agronomy – College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Henri Van Rinsvelt – Professor Emeritus of Physics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Bradley Walters – Associate Professor of Architecture – College of design, Construction and Planning
• Lorna Dishman – Executive Assistant I, Graduate School