Faculty Recognized for Excellence Under Extraordinary Circumstances

St. Al's on a sunny day

May 10, 2021
By Dale Goodwin ('86)
Academic Citizenship 
Megan McCabe, Assistant Professor, Religious Studies 
• detailed, important, time-consuming and difficult work as co-chair of the University Commission on Gonzaga’s Response to the Catholic Sexual Abuse Crisis 
• role in a joint project with Fordham University: Taking Responsibility: Jesuit Educational Institutions Confront the Causes and Legacy of Clergy Sexual Abuse 
Teaching Excellence-Non-tenure Track 
Susan Edwards, Lecturer, Nursing 
• implemented a simulation lab allowing nursing students to continue progressing in their education during the pandemic 
• developed policy & procedure manual for gaining clinical hours via virtual simulation for state approval 
Collaborative Work 
Martin Schiavenato, Joan Owens, Assistant Professors, Nursing 
• significant, meaningful and collaborative work when many colleagues struggled to adapt to remote delivery considerations
Teaching Excellence-Tenured 
Vikas Gumbhir, Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminology 
• directs the undergraduate research program (Advanced Seminar in Research and Theory) 
• facilitates the Graduate School Workshops every fall semester 
• led the Mock Trial team to national recognition (2018-2019) 
Open Award 
Laura Truitt, Assistant Professor, Art 
• innovative teaching includes co-teaching Chemistry & the Arts in conjunction with the chemistry department, exploring pigments 
• engaging students in painting community murals, and work with Artist At Risk, featuring international artists such as refugees and political exiles 
Teaching Excellence-Tenure Track 
Caoimhín De Barra, Associate Professor, History 
• designed and implemented four new upper-division courses 
• signature focus on maximizing student engagement 
Professional Contributions-Tenured 
Vincent Alfonso, Professor, Education 
• co-authored and co-edited numerous books and journal articles where his reputation led to his work being widely adopted in university programs 
• presented throughout the country, and school districts are implementing his methodologies 
Diversity 
Naghme Morlock, Assistant Professor, Sociology & Criminology 
• organized monthly writing circles for faculty to collaborate and hold each other accountable concerning diversity, equity and inclusion matters 
• significant contribution toward institutionalizing the mission and goals of GU’s commitment to diversity 
Professional Contribution-Tenure Track 
Raven Maragh-Lloyd, Assistant Professor, Communication Studies 
• prolific researcher with seven articles/book chapters published or in press 
• with team, received $1.2 million grant to study extremism and radicalism online to develop strategies to disrupt this behavior 
Community Engaged Learning 
Kathleen Nitta, Assistant Professor, Education 
• worked with Logan partners to find new ways of integrating her Math Methods students into the virtual classroom 
• GU students offered engaging activities and critical math support to Logan Elementary youth