In making the decision to hold its annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony in conjunction with the faculty and staff Fall in-service, Marian University has announced those who will receive awards.

Jennifer Schultz, an assistant professor of Psychology, will receive the James Underkolfer Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, which requires that the recipient “demonstrate outstanding performance and excellence in undergraduate teaching” as well as “reflect the college’s mission, purpose, and commitment.”

The Underkofler award was established through an endowment fund created to honor Mr. James R. Underkofler by Alliant Energy, and is administered by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Marian is one of five Wisconsin independent colleges eligible for the award.

The selection committee noted Schultz being consistently described by her faculty peers and her students as helpful, empowering, and available. Since she began teaching at Marian in 2008, and began teaching full-time in 2015, she has prepared and taught a total of 15 different classes, ranging from GEN 101, SOC 101, and regular offerings in the Psychology curriculum, to specialized upper-level courses like Field Experience and Senior Seminar in Psychology.

To continually improve her courses, Schultz maintains her licensure as a Wisconsin Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and became certified as a QPR Gatekeeper for suicide prevention. She regularly integrates real-life experience from her professional work into the classroom, designs interactive educational experiences, works with the Fond du Lac area schools as a Youth Mental Health First Aid counselor for Project AWARE, and takes students to the annual Midwestern Psychology Conference in Chicago.

Amy Hennings, associate professor and Psychology program chair, was awarded the Academic Advising Excellence Award. This award identifies positive role models for Marian students and acknowledges the importance the role academic advising plays in the University’s mission and core values and in students’ success.

Pat Immel, administrative coordinator in the Department of Nursing, received the Staff of the Year award. The Staff of the Year award is given to an individual who makes exceptional contributions to the Marian University community in the areas of inspirational focus, community and service, innovation, and proactive leadership and learning.

Jodie Ausloos, who teaches in the College of the Professions, and Mark Lafrenz, who teaches under Adult and Online Studies, were given Adjunct Teacher of the Year Awards.