The student centeredness that lies at the heart of The University of Toledo mission moves from theory into daily reality thanks to dedicated campus community members. The University is rolling out a new way of recognizing such excellence on Main Campus: its Shining Star Award.
First initiated on Health Science Campus, the monthly award is intended to recognize “people who have demonstrated above-and-beyond commitment to student centeredness by making outstanding contributions to the student experience,” said Ioan Duca, service excellence officer for the University.
Dr. Kathleen Thompson-Casado, associate professor of Spanish, was named the first Shining Star recipient. Her nominator, Dr. Linda Rouillard, associate professor of French, called Thompson-Casado, “the emblem of excellence on this campus. She’s an excellent teacher and communicator who respects the students.”
Thompson-Casado’s students reciprocate that respect, Rouillard noted, because they know that they will receive “100 percent of [her] attention” when they have a concern.
“I truly appreciate the University doing this. It is awesome,” Thompson-Casado said on a video posted on the University’s YouTube page.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k30g8vlU_S4&list=SPoxZXXPtP8dCubAuvy4_uG-ihgQ6i3n5H&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Students, faculty and UT community members are encouraged to nominate candidates for the award by emailing their name and reasons for recognition to Tony Urbina, student affairs manager of ICare University, at tony.urbina@utoledo.edu.
Nominations for Shining Star Award recipients — who receive a trophy, gift card and premiere parking (details being finalized) for a month — are reviewed by the Student Experience Steering Body Committee, which makes the final decision.
“We especially want students to nominate their professors or anyone else they think deserves this award — because anyone can be a shining star,” Duca said.