USI faculty recognized at 2023 Fall Meeting

At its Fall Meeting on Tuesday, August 15, the University of Southern Indiana recognized the following faculty members as award recipients:  

Distinguished Professor Award  

Dr. Jill Raisor '03 (right), Professor of Education, was named the 2023 Distinguished Professor Award recipient. Raisor joined the USI faculty full-time in 2010 as Teacher in Residence, and over the course of her tenure has served as a Children's Learning Center Liaison and Coordinator, Chair of Teacher Education, and now as Professor of Education. She is recognized for her tireless service to students, teaching and scholarship, as well as her vast work in the community.  

The Distinguished Professor Award was established in 1983 and is USI's highest award given in recognition of significant achievement in teaching, scholarship and service. As a recipient, Raisor will receive a generous stipend plus a faculty development grant underwritten by thoughtful donors to the USI Foundation.

Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award 

Dr. Mark Krahling (left), Associate Professor of Chemistry, was named the 2023 H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award recipient. Krahling joined the University in 1994 and has served as Director of University Core Curriculum and Associate Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, in addition to his current role as Associate Professor. He is recognized for his nearly 30 years of service as a professor, scholar and leader in the Core Curriculum at USI.  

The H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award was established in 2000 and honors USI faculty members whose work in University Core Courses (UCC) has been especially creative and successful in furthering UCC goals. As a recipient, Krahling will receive a generous stipend and a faculty development grant underwritten by longtime and generous University friends, Ann and H. Lee Cooper III.    

Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award  

Dr. Trent Engbers (right), Director of the Master of Public Administration Program and Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration, is the recipient of the 2023 Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award. Engbers has been with the University since 2013 and is recognized for his commitment to community through his multifaceted work, positively impacting numerous individuals and nonprofits in the community. 

The Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award was established in 1997 and recognizes a USI faculty member for distinguished community service to groups, agencies and institutions external to the University of Southern Indiana. As a recipient, Engbers will receive a generous stipend from thoughtful donors to the USI Foundation. 

Outstanding Teaching Award by New Faculty  

Dr. Bohan Ye (left), Assistant Professor of Economics, is the 2023 Outstanding Teaching Award by New Faculty recipient. Ye joined the University in 2020 and is recognized for the sophistication and complexity of the structures of her courses and her innovative approach to engage students using a variety of means to introduce material and build mastery of topics. As a recipient, Ye will receive a generous stipend from thoughtful donors to the USI Foundation. 

Outstanding Teaching by Adjunct Faculty  

Dr. Lionel Phelps (right), Adjunct in the Psychology Department, is the 2023 Outstanding Teaching by Adjunct Faculty recipient. Phelps joined USI in 2011 and is recognized for his ability to blend his professional experiences as a practicing clinical psychologist with classroom material. As a recipient, Phelps will receive a generous stipend from thoughtful donors to the USI Foundation.