Awards honor faculty excellence in 2025
March 18, 2025
Awards honor faculty excellence in 2026
Celebrating eight faculty members for classroom and service excellence
Central Michigan University is celebrating faculty members who set the leadership standard by prioritizing student success, providing rich knowledge-based experiences, and nurturing strong connections inside and outside of the classroom.
2026 Excellence in Teaching Awards
Created by CMU in 1985, the Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize outstanding teaching efforts by faculty. Awardees are selected from faculty members nominated and supported by their peers and students, who then undergo a rigorous selection process by the Excellence in Teaching Awards Committee.
jared halter
Department of Philosophy, Anthropology and Religion
Dr. jared halter is a dedicated educator whose teaching exemplifies creativity, rigor, and student-centered design. He constructs carefully scaffolded learning experiences with clear goals, fostering intellectual growth through “mistake-full” zones grounded in trust, care, and curiosity. jared blends collaborative inquiry, experiential learning, dialogue, and multimedia resources to connect theory with lived experience and real-world application. Students note that he consistently pushes them beyond surface-level thinking, reminding them that “whoever is doing the work is doing the learning”, while ensuring they feel seen, respected, and valued. His feedback functions as teaching itself, breaking down complex ideas and offering actionable steps for improvement. Guided by a strong ethic of care, jared invests deeply in mentorship, access, and belonging, cultivating inclusive classrooms and programs. Across courses and initiatives, he prepares students to engage with purpose, ethical awareness, and confidence.
Chris J. Hamlyn
Athletic Training Program
Dr. Chris Hamlyn is an outstanding educator whose teaching exemplifies excellence through student-centered learning, mentorship, and real-world application. He is known for creating inclusive, engaging, and intellectually rigorous learning environments grounded in respect, authenticity, and collaboration. His teaching philosophy emphasizes relationship-centered learning, clear and high expectations, and the intentional application of content to real-world practice. Through scaffolded instruction, active learning, and consistent mentorship, Chris empowers students to think critically, grow confidently, and see themselves as capable contributors to their future professions. Students consistently describe Dr. Hamlyn as supportive, inspiring, and deeply invested not only in their academic success but also in their personal development.
Kelly J. Murphy
Department of Philosophy, Anthropology and Religion
Dr. Kelly Murphy is an innovative and community-centered educator whose teaching excellence has earned her a strong reputation among colleagues and students. Known for her dynamic pedagogical approach, she values collaborative learning as a way to connect with students individually and in groups and to discover what motivates them. Professor Murphy’s commitment to pedagogical creativity is a deliberate and thoughtful choice, one she pursues with enthusiasm, curiosity, and deep care for student learning. One colleague observed, “Students definitely leave this professor’s courses better academically prepared than they were when they entered.” Her teaching philosophy highlights the cognitive, social, and emotional dimensions of learning. She builds strong relationships, creates a supportive classroom community, and offers clear, organized, and scaffolded instruction. Through reflective practice and student-centered pedagogy, Professor Murphy models the very best of teaching excellence.
Kyle C. Scherr
Department of Psychology
Dr. Kyle Scherr is a dedicated and highly regarded educator whose teaching philosophy centers on intellectual curiosity, student mentorship, and real-world application of course content. His classrooms are intentionally designed to be engaging, respectful, and discussion-driven, encouraging students to think critically while developing confidence in their professional identities. Students consistently describe Dr. Scherr as a mentor who challenges them with high expectations while providing the support necessary to meet those standards. One student noted that he “does not simply teach content, but empowers students to think, question, and grow as professionals.” Colleagues similarly commend his enthusiasm for teaching, innovative use of guest speakers and experiential learning, and unwavering commitment to student success both inside and beyond the classroom.
Erika K. Zambarano
Athletic Training Program
Dr. Erika Zambarano is widely recognized for her ability to deliver “clear explanations, well-structured lessons, and engaging instructional methods” that make complex clinical concepts accessible to all learners. Students consistently praise her individualized coaching, noting that she “remembers each student’s aspirations and strengths” and provides personalized, career-relevant feedback that makes them feel “seen, supported, and taken seriously.” Dr. Zambarano builds a strong sense of community through rotating partners, reflective check-ins, and inclusive activities that make every student feel valued. She is known for going “above and beyond” in her availability, offering evening open labs and ongoing mentorship that fosters trust, confidence, and long-term professional growth.
Lorrie Ryan Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award
Lorrie Ryan was a faculty member in human environmental studies and a 2002 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. This award, established in 2006, is given in her memory each year to a faculty member who inspires students by building a sense of community within the learning environment and demonstrating profound mentorship and respect for others.
Brandi Ansley
Department of Teacher & Special Education
Dr. Brandi Ansley intentionally cultivates a respectful, inclusive classroom by using students’ names and pronouns, honoring diverse identities, and creating multiple avenues for engagement—including electronic participation options for neurodivergent students and those hesitant to speak. Her discussions incorporate quiet think time and the option to “pass,” modeling deep respect for individual comfort and perspective. Assignments invite students to integrate personal, cultural, and professional experiences, especially in reflective and professional philosophy courses. Brandi regularly conducts anonymous wellness checks, adjusts pacing when feasible, and reaches out privately to support struggling students with individualized plans. Student feedback consistently affirms that differing viewpoints are welcomed and respected. Teaching across the curriculum—including the program’s final course—she also attends every graduation to personally celebrate students, a rare and inspiring commitment that elevates our entire academic community. Another student reflected, “Even when someone felt alone, they knew they mattered and were part of a family with this professor. Our circle time became a true support system for my classmates and me. We spoke openly, honestly, and without fear of judgment.”
Student Choice Excellence in Teaching Award
The Student Choice Excellence in Teaching Award is selected by a committee of current students and recognizes a faculty member for creative excellence in overall instructional effectiveness.
Audrey Shaw
Physician Assistant Program
Ms. Shaw, a graduate of Central Michigan University’s Athletic Training and Physician Assistant programs, is the Clinical Coordinator and a fixed-term faculty member in CMU’s Physician Assistant program. Students say she "consistently treats students with respect, patience, and professionalism, and creates an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where students feel safe asking questions, thinking critically, and learning from mistakes. She actively listens to students’ perspectives, values diversity in thought and background, and fosters mutual respect among the entire learning community.” Ms. Shaw is praised for “her ability to structure opportunities for peer interaction and collective problem-solving in clinical classroom spaces,” noting that she “encourages students to support one another academically by creating study networks and opportunities for peer-feedback” all while providing learning approaches that “result in measurable growth, allowing students to continually deepen understanding while applying increasingly advanced concepts relevant to future professional practice.” Perhaps most importantly, Ms. Shaw “communicates a genuine belief that every student can succeed and master the material, which motivates students to rise to that “expectation”. Students share that Ms. Shaw’s “demeanor is a breath of fresh air. She always comes into class ready to teach, and having an instructor with the energy and enthusiasm to be there helps to motivate students to do the same.”
2026 Faculty Distinguished Service Award
Created by the Office of the Provost in 2001, the Faculty Distinguished Service Award recognizes faculty members with a record of sustained and distinguished service at CMU. Nominations were reviewed, and the winner was selected by the Shared Governance Committee.
Larry Lemke
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Since arriving at CMU in 2016, Dr. Larry Lemke served for nine years as chairperson of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS), and in that role, he initiated (and continues to lead) the EAS Food Drive, an annual event that brings students, faculty, and staff together as a community and supports both the CMU Food Pantry and the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen through donations. When the department was understaffed and overextended, he regularly taught overload courses to ensure that majors could graduate on schedule. Additionally, while serving as the Environmental Science internship coordinator, he built key industry-academic partnerships and supported students in developing career-ready skills. A nominator stated, “ The everyday collegial, caring atmosphere among faculty, staff, and students is due largely to Dr. Lemke’s successful strategies of togetherness, to help everyone’s voice be heard, and make everyone feel included.”
As a member of the University community, he has served in the Academic Senate, advocating for student and faculty success, and on the budget priorities committee, collaborating with partners to provide insight and expertise on budget models and fiduciary roles.
In service to the broader community, Larry has been an active pro bono consultant to several Michigan communities facing challenges from emerging contaminants of concern. He has also served as the Fundamentals of Geology Evaluator for the state of Michigan.