Excellence in Teaching Awards Announced
Contact: Jeffrey St. John, (207) 581-3477
ORONO — Nicole Heller, a doctoral student in developmental psychology in the Department of Psychology, and Artur Palacz, a doctoral candidate in oceanography in the School of Marine Sciences, are winners of the University of Maine Center for Excellence in Teaching and Assessment (CETA) Graduate Teaching Awards.
They were selected in two categories by a faculty review panel from among a highly competitive pool of applicants.
Winning the Solo Instructor category award, Heller, who earned a B.A. in psychology and English at Wittenberg University in Ohio in 2008, now works under the advisement of psychology faculty member and researcher Marie Hayes.
“As is sometimes found in the highest caliber of truly exceptional graduate students, Nicole has a deep and abiding desire to inspire the next generation of undergraduate psychology scholars at the University of Maine,” Hayes wrote in a letter of endorsement for Heller. Heller has served as a solo instructor for Psychology of Childhood and as a teaching assistant for Child Study Laboratory I & II. She intends to join the professoriate with a focus on teaching.
Winner of the Teaching Assistant category award, Palacz earned a B.Sc. at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany in 2006. He now works under the advisement of marine sciences professor Fei Chai, who co-wrote — with professors Mark Wells and Emmanuel Boss — a sterling letter of support.
“I’ve no doubt that Artur will become an exceptional educator, and this award is a well-justified assessment of his talents and capabilities at this early stage of his career,” Chai’s letter reads. Palacz has served as a teaching assistant for multiple offerings of Integrative Marine Sciences III and is active in the school’s graduate student organization.
Heller and Palacz will receive their awards at a public ceremony during the April meeting of the Graduate Board in Stodder Hall, according to CETA Director Jeffrey St. John.