Three Political Science professors to be honored at the 2020 Academic Recognition Ceremony
On May 4th the university will honor faculty and academic staff for their achievements and contributions to the university over the past year. The Political Science Department would like to congratulate all the honorees this year. The Political Science Department will be well represented at the 2020 award ceremony by three faculty members: Dr. Kyu-Nahm Jun will be receiving the Outstanding Graduate Director Award, Dr. Alisa Molodavanova will be receiving the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Dr. Frederic Pearson will be receiving the Distinguished Service Professor Award.
The 2020 Academic Recognition Ceremony booklet provides the following descriptions for each of our honored faculty members:
Dr. Kyu-Nahm Jun- Outstanding Graduate Director Award
Professor Kyu-Nahm Jun is an exceptional graduate director in public administration in the Department of Political Science. She 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 the 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 the program alumni networks. Under her lead, she has implemented program changes to enhance student knowledge and successful completion of their degree. Jun 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
Professor Alisa Moldavanova brings to Wayne State classrooms the same thoroughness and analytic rigor that she brings to 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 more than her enviable work ethic. It exhibits her belief that original, creative work brings the same power for intellectual growth to students that it does for faculty. This award acknowledges her success in bringing to the University a rich array of course offerings in public 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.
Dr. Frederic Pearson- Distinguished Service Professor Award
Professor Frederic Pearson, from the Department of Political Science, is being 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 Studies for the last 30 years. For many years, Pearson also directed the Detroit Council for World Affairs and 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 service, Pearson is highly deserving of the title Distinguished Service Professor.