Flaherty earns 2014 Teaching Distinction Award

Political science professor Anne Flaherty received the 2014 Teaching Distinction Award.

Political science professor Anne Flaherty was named to the 2014 Teaching Distinction Award

The award is through the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and includes a monetary prize. Nominations were submitted by students and faculty and reviewed by the Teaching Excellence Awards Committee.

According to Flaherty, it is an honor to be recognized in the company of “very skilled and devoted teachers.”

“It is certainly gratifying to know that the work and hours and experiments in how to teach are valued by students and my peers,” Flaherty said.

A committee evaluates teaching material from courses, teaching evaluations, statements and narratives describing teaching methodologies, and letters of recommendation in determining candidates, according to Flaherty.

Flaherty said she tries to encourage students through discussion and in their writing to engage in the material and with peers.

“I think students enjoy that I try different techniques to prompt their engagement and their interaction and that we use different types of materials and assignments,” Flaherty said.

According to Flaherty, in political science every development in the world is potentially an opportunity to teach and learn something new.

“I enjoy learning and trying to understand new things along with my students,” Flaherty said.

According to Denise DeGarmo, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, Flaherty is one of the most innovative professors she knows.

“She reaches out to the students in ways to get them to learn,” DeGarmo said. “I can understand why she got the award. She deserves it. She is one of our best faculty.”

Senior political science major, Nasir Almasri, said Flaherty is a “very organized professor” who challenges students and includes very relevant content in her classes.

“She is phenomenal,” Almasri said. ”Students love her.”

Flaherty earned a master’s degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of Sydney in Australia and her doctorate in political science from Duke University. She has researched several areas of Native American studies and is currently working on a chapter on Native Americans’ use of hip-hop music as a tool for social and cultural empowerment.

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