October 28, 2019
Faculty, staff and students receive K-State Global Campus awards
Kansas State University Global Campus announced the winners of its annual awards to university faculty, staff and students for 2019 at the annual Have a Byte showcase event for online teaching in September.
Each of the five winners were chosen after being nominated by students, colleagues or administrators.
"We at Global Campus have the privilege of partnering with some of K-State's best faculty, advisors and learners," said Global Campus dean Karen Pedersen. "We are proud to honor these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments and for advancing both K-State and Global Campus."
Linda Yarrow, assistant professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, is the recipient of the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. The award recognizes an online instructor or faculty member who has provided outstanding online teaching, course development, mentoring of students and service to the field of continuing education.
Yarrow uses many innovative teaching methods in her classes to include case studies of actual clients in simulated health records, gamification in the online classroom, project-based assignments with real-world application and more. These tools are instrumental in developing abstract thinking to understand concepts and principles past the immediate formulas and problems. One nominating student wrote, "I felt a connection to K-State, because of Dr. Yarrow. Her mentorship to me as a student made me feel as I if was always there on campus."
Deana Core, admissions representative, and Mark Haub, professor and head of the food, nutrition, dietetics and health department, are co-recipients of the Friend of K-State Global Campus award. This award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of K-State Global Campus programs or services.
Through her role as an admissions representative, Core consistently thinks of ways that Global Campus can help students in situations that might not allow them to attend K-State as a traditional student. She has been involved in the implementation of the DirectLink program, which is administered through Global Campus, and she encourages her peers to remember the DirectLink option as they work with students across the state.
Haub and the department have been active participants since the early years of Global Campus with undergraduate and graduate programs. He has led consistent development and growth of Global Campus opportunities, including a new minor and certificate. His constant focus on using Global Campus opportunities helps explain why the food, nutrition, dietetics and health department educates more students enrolled in Global Campus programs than any other department or school in the College of Health and Human Sciences, as well as K-State.
Doris Carroll, associate professor of special education, counseling and student affairs, is the recipient of the Outstanding Advisor Award, given to a K-State faculty or staff member demonstrating exceptional efforts in assisting and advising distance students.
Carroll recognizes students' diverse talents and encourages them to use these talents in a variety of co-curricular activities. She provides constructive criticism that encourages students to learn, grow, and work harder as they travel together through their academic journey. Carroll gives students community, provides needed guidance and helps to make them feel valued and wanted.
Jesse Mazelli, an online student in animal sciences and industry, is the recipient of the Extraordinary Student Award. This award is given to a currently enrolled student who has overcome obstacles in their educational path and demonstrates academic excellence, focus and career ambition.
Mazelli has encountered a variety of obstacles throughout his life but maintains a positive outlook and always looks for what he can learn or how he can help others as a result of his experiences. Mazelli is a K-State honors list student who balances his coursework with a full-time job, medical appointments, disability-related struggles, legal issues surrounding disability benefits, parenting two teen boys and supporting a spouse who has disabilities.
In addition, three Global Campus student and staff members were recognized Sept. 24 for their outstanding work and positivity.
Kayla Staley and Courtney Byrne, both student employees at Global Campus, each received the Star Student Award, which recognizes a student employee who consistently goes above and beyond the requirements of their position to make meaningful and positive contributions to Global Campus.
Staley, a senior in elementary education, began at Global Campus as a student assistant but moved into a student recruiter role. She was nominated for her ability to lead others in the student recruitment office and her willingness to train new student employees.
Byrne, a senior in management, was nominated for her willingness to go above and beyond and her maturity and professionalism. One nominator wrote, "Her knowledge and skills will be an asset to those she serves after graduation."
Maleah Lundeen, assistant director of recruitment at Global Campus, received the Lynda Spire Positive Focus Award. This award honors the positive leadership of Lynda Spire, retired assistant dean of K-State Global Campus.
In addition to developing and implementing Global Campus' recruitment strategy and administering the CRM system, Lundeen leads the day-to-day efforts of the growing recruitment team for Global Campus. She was nominated by several of her peers, each noting her positive attitude as well as her professionalism and work ethic.