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Liberty professors recognized with annual awards for teaching, research mentorship
June 2, 2023 : By Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Professors from around Liberty University have been announced as the 2022-23 recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Provost Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship, all in acknowledgement of their dedication to guiding their students academically and professionally in their chosen fields.
The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented to professors who have promoted significant student learning, evidenced by creative and innovative approaches to teaching, the effective use of instructional technology, and exceptional pedagogical skill. The Provost Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship honors faculty members involved in teaching residential courses who exemplify a commitment to best practices in teaching and mentoring student research.
The processes for both awards involve a formal peer nomination, dean support, faculty input, and student contribution. The recipients’ impact on student faith, thought, and character are also noted as helping fulfill the vision of Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, toTrain Champions for Christ.
“Being selected for the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is an extensive process, based on our founder’s challenge to literally Train Champions for Christ. This year’s recipients do just that, and they do it in the spirit of Colossians 3:23,” said CTE Director Dr. Shawn M. Bielicki, referencing a verse that tells Christians to work with all of their heart for the Lord.
“We are extremely pleased that these faculty have been selected for the Provost Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship,” said Center for Research & Scholarship Director Darren Wu. “Their commitment to research and scholarly activity coupled with their passion to mentor the next generation of researchers and scholars is contagious and pushes our students to continue to study and delight in the works of the Lord (Psalm 111:2).”
President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
UNDERGRADUATE
Crystal Passburg
Assistant Professor of Biology, School of Health Sciences
Passburg uses innovative teaching practices in her classes, including skits and illustrations to demonstrate challenging concepts, as well as various games and analogies. To grow her students spiritually, not just academically, she starts her classes with devotionals. Passburg also co-authored a book. In recognition of her exceptional research contributions, she has been honored with a multi-year CRS Faculty Research Project Award grant of $80,000.
David Schweitzer
Professor of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
Schweitzer serves as an associate professor of mathematics and is the applied mathematics & statistics program director. He pursues non-traditional forms of innovation in instructional approaches within math, including leveraging collaboration, case studies, take-home exams, projects, and extensive use of technology. He adeptly weaves together God’s perfect design and mathematical concepts to help explain the inexplicable. Additionally, Schweitzer has published presentations and papers, contributed to books, and developed software programs.
James Zabloski
Assistant Professor, John W. Rawlings School of Divinity
Zabloski created an innovative, scaffolded portfolio program that reflects adult learner principles, which has been credited with making a difference in the professional lives and experiences of his students. He leads students through devotionals and follows up with applications of faith. Zabloski is frequently sought after to serve as a dissertation chair, demonstrating his expertise and leadership in academic research and mentoring.
GRADUATE
Andrew Walker
Associate Professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences
In addition to being an associate professor, Dr. Walker serves as the program director for the Master of Arts in English program. Walker prioritizes his students’ preparedness for writing and research by utilizing digital environments and tools, as well as incorporating archival instruction. He opens and closes each semester by readings and discussions that frame the entire course in light of the program’s scholarly and Christian commitment. His dedication to research and scholarly pursuits has been recognized with numerous honors, grants, and awards.
Melissa Stewart
Associate Professor, Helms School of Government
Stewart is an associate professor, instructional mentor, and the program director of the political science bachelor’s and master’s programs. She improves her students’ experiences by including videos to assist with data and conduct analysis and by relating discussions to current events. One of her biggest strengths is integrating a biblical worldview into public policy and political science. Stewart focuses on various areas of study like women in politics, campaigns, elections, and American public policy.
Provost Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship
Dr. Brian Kelley
Professor of Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Kelley has worked with a variety of not-for-profit organizations and medical centers to help create innovation and secure foundation, city, state, and federal funds. He currently has active research projects that involve the mentorship of 60 student investigators (graduate and undergraduate) and faculty collaborators. Students do research with him through honors, Daniels, and Thesis dissertation work and through his relationship with the drug court.
Dr. Benjamin Esswein
Associate Professor of History, College of Arts & Sciences
Dr. Esswein’s books, articles, and reviews show him to be an engaged scholar of the Reformation, with a special focus on eastern Europe. Dr. Esswein was a Fulbright scholar as a student, to eastern Europe, and has successfully replicated this by mentoring three students to their own Fulbright Awards and three students for Provost’s Award for Research Excellence (P.A.R.E.) grants from Liberty. His students participate in Phi Alpha Theta conferences and prize competitions. Additionally, he has sponsored sixteen different Research Week presentations including a first-place graduate presentation this year.
Dr. Connie Huber
Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences
Dr. Huber’s engagement and personalized one-on-one mentorship with students has been a top priority during her two years at Liberty, and she has prioritized motivating students to engage in projects that have a positive impact upon their community with a tireless effort in promoting research innovation and transforming theory into practice in public health. Dr. Huber has already mentored twenty students by engaging them in her ongoing research, curricula, and product development, continuing the work she began during her time working on a government contract. Her mentorship also included directly working with an undergraduate student in starting a 501c3 nonprofit organization an external grant, earning a $10,000 grant from Students for Life.
