Thirteen faculty members have been chosen to receive this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, an honor that annually recognizes some of UW–Madison’s finest educators. The following testimonials were given, and photographs made, before virtual teaching was instituted in response to COVID-19 — but whatever form instruction might take, this group ranks among the university’s best. While the ceremony originally scheduled for April 7 has been postponed, the university honor the winners here, and commend all who are teaching in these challenging times.
Below, see how Andrew Hicks used a $5,000 grant from the Morgridge Center for Public Service to turn her Environmental Sustainability Engineering course into a community-based learning course.
EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING TEACHING AWARD
Andrea Hicks
Assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
Hicks used a $5,000 grant from the Morgridge Center for Public Service to turn her Environmental Sustainability Engineering course into a community-based learning course. She works with the UniverCity Year program, which connects the UW with Wisconsin communities, to find class projects. Her students then work on problems identified by counties, villages and school districts. Students evaluate the problem and potential solutions using the three paradigms of sustainability: environment, economy and society. Community partners use the students’ work to advance projects in areas such as renewable energy and wastewater treatment. Students love the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life problems.