Students choose Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award recipients

Students have announced their selections for the long running Dr. Robert K. Ratzlaff Outstanding Faculty Award and the new Outstanding Staff Award and will honor the six recipients at a celebration April 1 as part of GoPitt!Fest.

The awards are directed by the Student Government Association and the nomination process is open to all students.

The celebration is planned from 2 to 3 p.m. on April 1 in the Overman Student Center Ballroom.Also planned for the celebration will be Service Awards given to employees by Human Resources on behalf of the university. Light refreshments will be served.

Recipients also will be recognized at a dinner with the provost and will receive commemorative medallions.

Outstanding Faculty

Anuradha Ghosh • Biology Department

Professor Anuradha Ghosh was described by students as an incredibly supportive mentor who welcomes students on research teams early on, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with her and build a strong foundation in research.

With a focus on environmental health and bacteriology, "Her guidance extends far beyond the classroom, as she actively looks for the best opportunities for her students and goes out of her way to help them succeed," one student wrote.

"Whether it was providing me with the chance to conduct research under her supervision or assisting me in finding the right Ph.D. programs, she has always been there to offer encouragement, advice, and unwavering support.

Ghosh has helped students secure K-INBRE and STAR traineeships, and has guided them in research, bioinformatics, and academic growth.

Students said she is an excellent role model as a published researcher with a focus on insect-microbe interaction, food safety, pollutant detection, and antimicrobial resistance.

"Her dedication, kindness, and commitment to her students' success make her truly exceptional," one student wrote.

Shannon Nicklaus • School of Construction

Professor Shannon Nicklaus (BS '95, MST '01, MET '08) is described by students as being a dedicated professor and mentor who goes beyond the classroom to help them grow personally and professionally.

As the PSU Mechanical Contractors Association Student Chapter Advisor, he connects students with industry professionals, securing internships and full-time jobs. He actively supports women's involvement in the MCA Student Chapter, advocating for greater representation in the field.

His leadership extends to the School of Construction Leadership Council and the MCAA Career Development Committee.

He has secured funding and grants, ensuring students have the resources to explore new opportunities, attend conferences, and participate in competitions.

One student said Nicklaus went "above and beyond in helping me secure an internship that later turned into a full-time job."

"After my previous internship did not work out as planned, Shannon didn't hesitate to step in and use his industry connections to find a new opportunity for me. Within a week, I had a new internship lined up, which ultimately led to a job offer. His dedication to helping students succeed, even in challenging situations, has made a huge difference in my career and so many others," the student wrote.

Amber Tankersley • Family & Consumer Sciences

Professor Amber Tankersley is an educator who goes above and beyond, students said.

With an emphasis in early childhood curriculum, she has worked with preschool-age children and been a director of preschool-aged programs. She has shared those experiences with students as future early childhood professionals.

"She has made classes engaging and tailored coursework to our needs," one wrote. "She has played a pivotal role in my college journey, supporting my goal of teaching dual-immersion despite it not being a PSU program."

Students wrote that she encourages them to not give up on their dreams.

"Dr. Tankersley has truly made a HUGE impact on my college career, and there is no way to thank her for everything she has done," one wrote.

"She has taken time out of her day to meet with me to discuss my thoughts and ideas, as well as taking the time to seek resources for me to help me prepare for my future as an early childhood educator," they wrote.

Tankersley was a 2015 and 2017 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Awards for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Outstanding Staff

Brenda Hawkins • International Programs and Services

Brenda Hawkins was described by students as the heart of Pittsburg's international student community, going above and beyond as an Immigration and Advising Coordinator and ISA advisor.

"She expertly navigates complex immigration policies, supports students through OPT, and dedicates countless hours to organizing major cultural events like GlobalFest," they said.

Her passion extends beyond her job - she teaches transition classes, fosters community connections, and ensures every student feels welcomed and supported.

"She helps us navigate challenging immigration situations to ensure we are always in compliance," another student wrote.

She is the primary advisor for the International Student Association, working to help the organization host major events every semester with hundreds of attendees.

"Brenda is the driving force that helps keep the international student community at Pittsburg so tight knit and successful," a student wrote.

"She has inspired me to also be a kind and compassionate leader who can make decisions that will benefit the most people possible," another wrote. "She has let me take the lead in organizing events with dozens of people in attendance, so I have developed great organizational skills, became a more outgoing person, and learned how to delegate efficiently. I went from being a new and lonely, introverted international student in a foreign place, to an aspiring leader with many successes with her support."

Jamie Rink • Student Financial Assistance

Jamie Rink (BS '01, MS '05) has a willingness and passion to help every student succeed and feel like they belong at Pitt State that sets her apart, student nominators said.

As the Director of Student Financial Assistance, she takes time to talk to students and parents who come in the office or call to help them feel welcome and supported.

"Whenever there is a problem with a student's financial aid account, she ensures it gets addressed and fixed immediately, and that no penalty will fall on the student," a student wrote. "She personally reaches out to students and parents after hours to help with FAFSA issues."

In one instance, a student's Spanish-speaking parents were struggling to complete their section of the FAFSA; Rink texted the student detailed instructions, allowing them to translate and guide their parents through the process. She continued to follow up to ensure the student received their financial aid on time.

She played a major role in the development and implementation of the new Great Gorilla scholarship program, and has been a role model.

"She has provided me with work related opportunities that have greatly helped me improve my leadership skills and allowed me to work more closely with the student body at PSU," one nominator wrote. "This has made me more confident as an employee and a student because I know she believes in and trusts me, which has helped me see my own value. I can help truly make a difference in a student's life because of the opportunities she has given me, and there are few things that are as rewarding as that."

Carol Young • University Police & Safety

Carol Young is in charge of the hiring, training, and maintenance of the campus police. She hires both student workers for dispatch and officers to protect the peace of campus.

Student nominators said she has kindness, but also firmness which ultimately ensures safety on a campus of several thousand individuals on any given day - including students, employees, and visitors.

"Young works every day to further the outreach of police and this institution," one student wrote. "She is the primary dispatcher for every home football game on Saturdays throughout the fall semester, and works over every break to make sure students are safe."

"Like the rest of the police department, she also works any time school is out, including snow days and normal campus closures," another student noted.

"Carol gave me a campus job and taught me how to stay calm under the pressure of emergencies," one student wrote. "While a lot of the tasks done by campus police are not high risk, some of them are. Carol has always been a guiding presence in teaching me how to act, work, and calmly perform my duties on the job. She has told me multiple times that her main goal is to prepare me for the harsh realities of the real world."

-- Pitt State --