The Morgan Teaching and Learning Center, along with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, were pleased to honor two graduate Teaching Assistants at the Faculty Awards Convocation on April 26. Cassandra Bryzycki received the 2019 TA of the Year award for her tireless service to students and faculty in the Chemical Engineering department and for her abilities as an engaging educator and an exceptional mentor. Her citation read in part:
The faculty who worked with Cassandra cited her deep disciplinary knowledge and the significant contributions she made to the improvement of their courses. In one course, Cassandra helped to build a new software tutorial to help guide her students through the most advanced computational tools in the field. The students were also extremely complimentary and appreciative of Cassandra’s mentorship and guidance. Students describe Cassandra as passionate, knowledgeable, extremely generous with her time, and deeply dedicated to her students’ success.
Alexandra Valiton, a graduate student in the Robotics Engineering Program, was recognized with an Honorable Mention. Letters in support of her nomination described her enthusiastic engagement with students and her ability to quickly master – and then teach – unfamiliar topics. Faculty cited her significant contribution to the improvement of courses and of the student experience. Faculty members also particularly noted her unquestionable dedication to students as so much more than just a TA: “she’s a mentor, a teacher, a leader, and a friend”.
Congratulations to both Cassandra and Alexandra!