Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) annually recognizes outstanding faculty who have made significant contributions in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service. This year, in a virtual ceremony on May 5, six faculty members, who embody a spirit of excellence, were honored.
In 1990, the Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy Faculty Excellence Award was inaugurated, named in honor of the much-esteemed Woods professor of English who embodied the highest ideals of teaching, scholarship and service.
Faculty Excellence in Service Pomeroy Award
Felicia Stewart, DNP, FNP-C, RN-BC, associate professor and director of the Master of Science in nursing program
Joining the faculty in July 2018, Felicia Stewart, DNP, FNP-C, RN-BC, immediately began her extensive service to the College. In addition to serving on the nursing department curriculum committees, self-study writing, advisory board meetings, search committees and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education visits, she serves on the College general studies and curriculum committee, the campus safety team and the graduate council. She participated in the last two graduate program reviews.
Stewart’s servant heart blends well with her profession of nurse practitioner. She holds leadership roles and contributes to the nursing profession at the local, state and national levels in a variety of capacities including presentations and publications, as well as board positions. She is an item writer for the nurse practitioner board examination by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program. On various levels, she is involved with 11 nursing associations and groups.
As a board-certified faith community nurse, she serves as the Director of Practice and Education on the Health Ministries Association (HMA) Board of Directors. She represents the HMA as the organizational affiliate representative to the American Nurses Association (ANA) and is a voting member during the annual ANA membership assembly. Stewart was a member of the national workgroup for the third edition of the Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (published in 2017) and currently serves on the workgroup for the fourth edition in preparation for public comment this summer.
Stewart’s commitment to community service includes Alzheimer’s Association, Lions Club International and United Methodist Church. This year marked her seventh eyeglass mission trip to Mexico with Lions Club. As the Vice President of Indiana United Methodist Women (UMW), she organizes the annual membership meeting and celebration, annual retreats and a state-wide leadership and officer training event. She’s been invited to present about a variety of topics including self-care, women’s health issues and infant mortality at state UMW-sponsored events. Locally, she serves on the youth design team at her church and is co-chair for the new team recruitment committee for the Terre Haute Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease.
Pomeroy Faculty Excellence Award for Scholarship
Jim Brinson, Ph.D., assistant professor of ecology
A member of the SMWC faculty since 2018, Jim Brinson, Ph.D., consistently demonstrates success and professionalism in research and practices.
His scholarship includes six peer-reviewed publications, a seventh publication in press, 16 conference presentations, participation as a moderator of a professional panel discussion and the supervision and direction of one master’s level and three undergraduate level thesis and research projects. In addition, his expertise as a scholar was explicitly recognized by Dr. Olena Zhadko and Dr. Susan Ko, two world-renowned leaders in online education, in a recent interview for their book.
Brinson’s scholarly content is widely varied from online education pedagogy and practices to ecology and sustainability – all relevant and central to SMWC’s mission. He studied online faculty teamwork and collaboration, and most recently, the efficacy of educational technology related to science laboratory education. He quantitatively assessed how virtual and remote laboratory learning spaces compare with their traditional face-to-face counterparts in terms of student learning outcome achievement. This work helps to prepare future scientists and science teachers, as well as inform science education policy. His work with educational technology and Open Educational Resources (OER), which help to lower costs to students and improve instruction, earned him an invitation to join the Technology Test Kitchen as a “Master Chef” at the 25th Annual Online Learning Consortium International Conference.
Brinson’s scientific research included work in practical sustainability, ocean literacy and insect-plant interactions. His scholarship also involved writing for a grant to fund the use of native species to stabilize the eroding banks of Le Fer Lake and to create a publicly accessible outdoor classroom/laboratory on campus. The lab will be used as a watershed research station to assess storm water filtration into the lake basin, balance aquatic systems and support wildlife.
Pomeroy Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching
Meredith Williams, MBA, assistant professor of business
Meredith Williams, assistant professor of business, has been teaching campus and Woods Online students in marketing and leadership since 2016. She has demonstrated significant growth and dedication to teaching practices and her students.
Williams approaches her teaching with well-organized and deliberate materials. While using standard syllabus and policies, she is exceptional in linking her content to the program and student learning outcomes. She incorporates rubrics for grading and feedback, utilizes simulations and embeds career readiness. All are key elements to establishing meaningful learning experiences for students. Additionally, she has a keen understanding of assessment and uses assessment to inform her teaching.
To say Williams is student-centered, is an understatement. She views her role as a coach by guiding and inspiring learning, as opposed to always directly instructing. She demonstrates a balance of grace and accountability. She insists students take responsibility for their choices all the while mentoring and supporting them through her faith in their ability to rise to challenges.
Williams recognizes students become disengaged when they fail to see the connection between their future and what they are learning. Therefore, she thoughtfully and deliberately provides practical exercises, simulations and industry certifications to prepare students to be productive team members upon graduation.
Her dedication and intentionality towards the institution’s mission is significant. Williams writes, “In the last two years, I have begun to ask myself the question, ‘How do I teach this course differently because I teach at SMWC?’ I have worked to incorporate personal philosophy assignments into several courses, to allow students to identify and contemplate the role of their value systems and their experience at SMWC in their future careers.”
Pomeroy Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching
Michael Boswell, MM, associate professor of music
Michael Boswell, associate professor of music, has been teaching at the College since 2005. He shows evidence of growth and synergy between design and assessment with an eye towards student learning and success. The development of new assignments and assessment pieces for his courses, as well as the department overall, illustrates his advancement in understanding student learning. He added weekly grade sheets and rubrics, which help with consistency as well as transparency to students. His course evaluations are excellent.
Boswell teaches a variety of campus classes with traditional lectures, ensemble settings and individual lessons. His philosophy and skills include flexibility, creativity and improvisation. He understands teaching musical performance requires passion, preparation and dedication balanced with the need to improvise based on student factors such as health, mood and availability of resources. This is a clear indication of listening to and being in tune with students beyond the classroom.
Boswell illustrates his intentionality towards a liberal arts mission. In addition to teaching the mechanics of singing and performance, he always includes lessons on the context of the pieces such as history, language and culture. He teaches about how some pieces require students to think of issues outside themselves and develop values of empathy and understanding.
When all courses moved to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he transitioned from teaching music classes and one-on-one lessons in a campus setting to an online platform. He embraced the challenge by introducing several new technologies, while continuing to provide a top-notch educational experience.
Boswell writes, “I find myself grateful for this opportunity of growth and increased support to others, especially my students. As one who appreciates the efficiency of systems and has found success in adhering to the ways I’m accustomed to doing things, the unexpected challenge of forced change has required an increased flexibility and expanded thinking that I know will positively affect me and my teaching. Indeed, it already has. These times have required me to become a student in how to diversify my ways of teaching, in method and content, and I understand in real time how valuable that is.”
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award
Angie McMillin, equine facilities manager
In 2019, the College created an award to recognize the efforts of dedicated adjunct faculty, who serve alongside the full-time faculty, and provide stellar teaching services in areas where there is a need or a special expertise.
Angie McMillin began her career at The Woods in the equine department as stable manager in 2002. McMillin serves the College in a myriad of ways – teaching in the classroom, mentoring students, driving the tractor, working in the barn, caring for horses and participating in the strategic planning process. The time McMillin gives to the program is unmatched. She is a constant at the barn, dedicating herself to the academic success of her students and in the equine industry.
This semester has been particularly challenging for students and faculty to adapt equine classes to an online environment due to the global pandemic. Committed to delivering substantive educational
experiences, McMillin excels in continuing her classes through technology and close communication with students. She is always open to hear diverse ideas and opportunities to engage in discovery, which brings about an interactive experience where students develop strategies to use throughout their careers.
SMWC Alumni Faculty Leadership Award
Rebecca Miller, MA, ATR-BC, LcAT, CCLS, assistant professor of art therapy
Each year, the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Alumni Association presents the Alumni Faculty Leadership Award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding faculty leadership resulting in added benefits to our students.
Rebecca Miller, assistant professor of art therapy, guides and supports her students in their problem-solving processes in such a way that scaffolds them towards increased confidence in developing and engaging their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the field of art therapy. Miller sets the bar high for all of her students, while also being sensitive to the unique needs and contextual factors that may impact student learning. She models openness and flexibility in her demeanor and stance, using herself as a role model and example in sharing how she has navigated both successes and obstacles.
During her tenure at The Woods, she strives to serve the students and further the College’s mission to develop leaders. Miller leads by example and frequently incorporates discussion and activities into the curriculum related to the importance of truly engaging in self-care, which is crucial for students to implement as they lead others.