The University of New Mexico

06/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2025 15:28

UNM instructors honored for excellence in online teaching

In a celebration of dedication and excellence, The University of New Mexico's Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) and UNM Online are recognizing instructors for their participation in online course reviews.

CTL recently awarded the prestigious Golden Paw Award to a select group of instructors. The Golden Paw Award is the highest recognition for online instruction at UNM.

Additionally, UNM Online has introduced the Foundational Course Design Review, an initiative available to all online instructors at UNM's main campus. Through a Foundational Course Design Review, instructors receive feedback from an external review to improve their online courses.

Below are the instructors who have received the Golden Paw Award and instructors who have successfully completed Foundational Course Design Reviews in Spring 2025:

Golden Paw Award Recipients - Spring 2025

  • Nuzhat Ali, senior lecturer I, NURS 410: Foundations of Leading Change and Advancing Health
  • Michelle Allgood, assistant professor, PADM 525: Human Resources Management in the Public Sector
  • Rebecca Blankely, principal lecturer III, RADS 450: Physics of MRI I
  • Angelica Boyle, lecturer II, HED 371: Introduction to Public and Community Health
  • Stephanie Chambers, lecturer III, PH 311: Essentials of Epidemiology
  • Meghann Dallin, temp part-time faculty, HLED 2150: Foundations of Health Promotion
  • Mario Del Angel Guevara, visiting assistant professor, CCS 308/508: Curanderismo Part 2: Global Perspectives of Traditional Healing
  • Jennifer Escajeda, temp part-time faculty, HED 333: Emotional Health and Interpersonal Relationships
  • Marissa Greenberg, associate professor, ENGL 353: Later Shakespeare: Sensing Shakespeare
  • Tricia Hermes, temp part-time faculty, FYEX 1110: Success Starts Here
  • Angelika Maria Koch, temp part-time faculty, HED 493: Integrated Mental Health
  • Neusa McWilliams, temp part-time faculty, GEOG 1160: Home Planet
  • Marina Popova, term teaching faculty, MGMT 501: Data Driven Decision Making
  • Oleksandr Tkachenko, associate professor, OILS 552: Team Development and Facilitation

Foundational Course Design Review Recipients - Spring 2025

  • Brisa del Bosque Byrnes, graduate assistant, SPAN 1220: Spanish as a Heritage Language II
  • Joseph J. Garcia, temp part-time faculty, CCS 460: Chicanos and Latinos in a Global Society
  • Sarah Leiter, teaching assistant, ANTH 1140: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
  • Melissa Ryan, assistant professor, MUSE 477/577: Diversity and Music Education
  • Crystal Sanchez, senior lecturer I, NURS 478: Care of the Veteran
  • Shawn Secatero, associate professor, LEAD 530: Leadership for Conflict Resolution
  • Ryan Swanson, professor, UHON 301: Seminar: Sports in America
  • Suzanne Williams, lecturer III, HED 511: Management of Health Promotion Programs

About Online Course Reviews at UNM

These initiatives ensure that online courses align with the best practices outlined in the Online Learning Excellence Framework, which emphasizes essential online course design elements and strategies needed to meet the needs of UNM students.

UNM's commitment to supporting quality online education is evident through these initiatives. Both CTL and UNM Online offer numerous opportunities throughout the year for instructors to enhance their course design. By participating in these reviews, instructors demonstrate their dedication to continuous improvement and student success. The Foundational Course Design Review can be treated as a first step toward meeting the standards of a Golden Paw Award.

Instructors who complete a Foundational Course Design Review are eligible to receive $500 per course, and those awarded a Golden Paw will receive a stipend of $2,000.

Instructors interested in a Foundational Course Design Review can submit their interest form to participate in the Fall cycle, with the best consideration date being Aug. 1, 2025. Calls for nominations for the next Golden Paw Award review cycle will be announced in the Fall semester.

For more information about the Foundational Course Design Review, visit UNM Online's website. To learn more about the Golden Paw Awards, visit the CTL's website.

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