Three Political Science Professors Honored at the 2020 Academic Recognition Ceremony
On May 4th the university honored faculty and academic staff for their achievements and contributions to the university over the past year. The Political Science Department congratulates all of its honorees this year. The Department was represented at the 2020 award ceremony by three faculty members: Dr. Frederic Pearson received the Distinguished Service Professor Award, Dr. Kyu-Nahm Jun received the Outstanding Graduate Director Award, and Dr. Alisa Moldavanova received the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Frederic Pearson - Distinguished Service Professor Award
Dr. Frederic Pearson, Professor of Political Science, was recognized for his long-time service commitment and in achieving peace in the community, the region, and internationally through his actions as Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies for the last 30 years. For many years, Pearson also directed the Detroit Council for World Affairs and was a speaker for the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, as well as other groups concerned with national and local issues of social justice. He is a long-time presenter of educational talks to groups such as the Institute of Retired Professionals and the Society of Active Retirees (SOAR). In 2019, SOAR presented him with an Appreciation Award for his 12 years of well-attended presentations on world affairs to the retiree community in Metro Detroit. Another major commitment has been his work with both the Rotary Club of Detroit and Rotary International. He has also initiated international programs with the University of Windsor and the U.S. State Department. For his commitment to the community, Pearson is highly deserving of the title Distinguished Service Professor.
Dr. Kyu-Nahm Jun - Outstanding Graduate Director Award
Dr. Kyu-Nahm Jun, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Graduate Program in Public Administration, has been an outstanding leader by helping students build professional networks, improving the curriculum based on student feedback, supervising the reaccreditation of the Master of Public Administration program, recruiting and retaining the highest caliber students, and cultivating a diverse student body. As her colleagues note, Jun has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by sharing her decision-making authority and effectively engaging faculty, students, and alumni in program governance. One of her significant achievements has been the revision and execution of a more aggressive recruitment plan. Jun has maintained high levels of enrollment and improved graduation rates by engaging in proactive external outreach toward prospective applicants and capitalizing on program alumni networks. Dr. Jun has implemented program changes to enhance student knowledge and successful completion of their degrees and shows a deep commitment to graduate students through her advocacy and mentorship that values a diverse and inclusive environment. For these and a host of other reasons, Jun is highly deserving the Outstanding Graduate Director Award.
Dr. Alisa Moldavanova - President's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Alisa Moldavanova, Associate Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management, brings to Wayne State classrooms the same thoroughness and analytic rigor that she exhibits in her scholarship. Moldavanova's substantial classroom demands are wedded to her impressive capacity to develop a personal learning relationship with her students, whether the setting is a large undergraduate course or a more intimate graduate experience. That all of her courses require the completion of a significant research paper highlights her extraordinary work ethic. It is her belief that original, creative work brings the same power for intellectual growth to students as it does for faculty. This award acknowledges her success in bringing to the University a rich array of course offerings in public administration and nonprofit management. Warranting special mention is her intellectual commitment to developing and sharing insights into the challenging, socially vital field of sustainability in nonprofit organizations. Moldavanova's clear, precise and exciting style of communication is central to her ability to motivate students to excel and make her the perfect choice for the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.