Amie Hufton, Julia Farkas and Lisa Van Dyke were nominated by CPH students, faculty and staff
Amie Hufton Left), Julia Farkas, Interim Dean Karla Zadnik and Lisa Van Dyke.
Three members of the College of Public Health community were honored with the annual Excellence in Teaching and Employee of the Year awards.
Amie Hufton, clinical associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, was recognized with the Excellence in Teaching Award for her innovative teaching practices and strengths as a mentor with a true gift for “teaching how to teach.”
Among the comments made by her nominators:
- “Students often talk about how much they enjoy Hufton’s classes and value her as a mentor. She does more than just teach — she builds real connections with her students and supports them in meaningful ways.”
- “She's extraordinarily passionate about teaching, educating and creating a learning environment that encourages students to step out of their comfort zones. That effort is clear in how teamwork and discussion are essential to success.”
- “She is the kind of mentor and educator who leaves a lasting impact.”
Julia Farkas, office assistant in the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services, received the Employee of the Year award in recognition of her commitment to student success and the college’s mission.
- “She is always helpful, always there when I need support, and never says no. Whether it's a project, coming up with ideas, or just needing someone to talk to, Julia is the first person I go to.”
- “Julia consistently goes above and beyond in her performance, exceeding expectations with grace and professionalism. Her positive presence is felt throughout the office and across the college, where she fosters a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone she encounters.”
- “Every student (who) swings by or every parent (who) calls receives the same level of respect and unwavering support from Julia.”
Lisa Van Dyke, business intelligence analyst, also received the Employee of the Year award in recognition of her work, including on the college’s Council on Education for Public Health reaccreditation this year.
- “Lisa keeps this college running by providing the necessary data for informed decision-making. She wrangles unbelievably messy data of all types, from fiscal to student to surveys and more, turning it into information that we can actually use.”
- “Lisa makes our lives easier in so many ways. I think most of the faculty and staff have no idea how much she does and how important her work is to the mission of the college.”
- “The work that Lisa did for the accreditation process should be recognized with this award. She invested countless hours ensuring that we excelled and were organized in our information.”
Interim Dean Karla Zadnik announced the awards at a May 14 faculty and staff celebration, where she was also recognized for her two years of service to the college.
