Three faculty members have earned recognition and distinction for their commitment to advancing student learning and facilitating and supporting student success.
The 2023-24 Distinguished University Lecturers are:
• Sheri Benton, senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature in the College of Arts and Letters;
• Dr. Claire Cohen, senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics;
• Michelle Davidson, senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature in the College of Arts and Letters.
“The Distinguished University Lecturer is an honor reserved for the most dedicated educators who have consistently displayed a commitment to provide our students with a world-class education,” said Dr. Scott Molitor, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “These dedicated educators have earned this recognition because of their passion for teaching and because of the impact they have on the lives of our students.”
Benton
Benton received both her bachelor of arts and master of arts in English language and literature from UToledo. She has been a lecturer at UToledo since 2013 and achieved the rank of senior lecturer in 2022. Since then, she has been focused on finding new ways to help students develop the essential skills of good writing for their futures.
She has received numerous fellowships from the Composition Institute for Teaching Excellence and received The University of Toledo Outstanding Teaching Award in 2014.
Beyond teaching, Benton has been part of the Faculty Senate since 2022. She also chaired the Shapiro Endowment Committee from 2016 through 2021 and cochaired from 2021 through 2022. She has presented at the Conference on College Composition and Communication, the College English Association Annual Conference and the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching and Learning.
“My goal as a writing instructor is for students to finish the semester successfully and with an understanding of the power and impact of effective writing and communication,” Benton said. “I want students to recognize that their own writing has value, that their perspective matters and that being thoughtful about the information they use and share is important to their credibility and ethics as they navigate academic, professional and personal writing. We talk about the importance of being thoughtful and discerning about the information we are consuming when disinformation is common and rampant. I am most rewarded when a student says they improved their writing skills and found value in the semester’s work and time in class.
“I am honored to be named a Distinguished University Lecturer,” she said. “Working with students at The University of Toledo is deeply important and rewarding to me. My goals are to help students understand the power and impact of effective writing and communication, and that their own writing and perspective has value. I do not do this work alone: I am supported by my colleagues and the University community as we work together creating an environment that supports students.”
Cohen
Cohen, following previous teaching assignments at The University of Toledo, became a lecturer at UToledo in 2007 and achieved rank of senior lecturer in 2016. She holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts and a doctorate of chemistry from Cornell University.
In 2016, she was a recipient of The University of Toledo Outstanding Teaching Award.
Cohen served as director of General Chemistry from 2013 through 2021 and since 2023. She chaired the General Chemistry Committee from 2013 through 2021 and 2023 to present. She also served as coordinator of Organic Chemistry from 2021 through 2022; and served on the Ohio Department of Higher Education TAG chemistry course certification committee in 2017.
“Each year more students are juggling mental health issues, commitments outside of college and a variety of life obstacles,” Cohen said. “Students need flexibility, compassion and understanding from faculty without lowering expectations of comprehension, responsibility, work ethic and accountability. Student success is built upon a foundation requiring balance of these key factors. Although the teaching style in the large lecture classroom is important, I also value the many other facets of teaching and mentoring.
“I am truly humbled and delighted to receive this award. As I approach my 20th year of teaching, I am excited to continue working together with students, faculty and staff. I am grateful to be part of this outstanding community at The University of Toledo and owe much of my success to the constant support I’ve experienced here.”
Davidson
Davidson joined UToledo, following previous teaching assignments, in 2004 as a lecturer and holds the title of senior lecturer.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communication/print journalism and a master of science degree in English literature, both of which are from The University of Toledo. She is a recipient of The University of Toledo Center for Teaching Innovative Teaching Award and received a University of Toledo Provost Faculty Fellowship.
Davidson also has presented at the National Council for Teachers of English Annual Convention, the Tri-University Conference on Composition and Writing Instruction and the Common Read Curriculum Workshop. She has exemplary work in online education that includes receiving a Certificate in Online Teaching and a Certificate in ADA Compliance in Online Teaching.
“My mission in all of my writing classes is to provide a supportive, active-learning environment and to equip students with tools to develop as writers who can effectively and confidently communicate in their academic, professional, social and civic lives,” Davidson said. “This includes helping them to develop confidence and to see themselves as scholars capable of making knowledge.
“I am truly grateful and honored to be named Distinguished University Lecturer. I have been connected to The University of Toledo for almost half of my life — first, as an uncertain, first-generation college student and later, as a confident member of the composition faculty. Throughout these experiences, I have been blessed to work with exceptional professors, mentors, colleagues and students in the UToledo community who have shaped who I am. This is the heart of my dedication to student success. It is a privilege to be in a position where I can help today’s uncertain students realize that they do belong in college, and they are capable of greater things than they know. Watching my student writers grow and develop in their confidence and ability each semester is a reward in itself. Being named Distinguished University Lecturer is a close second.”
