Distinguished Honors Faculty Award

“Dr. Chadwick truly exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator and mentor. Their passion for Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies is not only evident in the way they teach but also in how they engage students with thought-provoking discussions and real-world applications. One instance that stands out to me was during our unit on intersectionality and sexual identity, where Dr. Chadwick encouraged us to critically analyze how societal norms and power dynamics shape individuals’ experiences with sexuality and gender. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the material but also inspired me to pursue further opportunities about how intersectional perspectives can inform social policy and advocacy. Beyond their teaching, Dr. Chadwick has been a steadfast mentor, offering invaluable guidance on academic and career decisions. ”

“Through [GWS 528], Prof Chadwick answered so many of the questions on sexuality and the scientific enterprise that I have long wondered about and did so with a critical approach, enthusiasm, and genuine care for her students. She also gave us the invaluable technical skills to continue this line of inquiry on our own. After each class, I would send a series of impassioned texts to my friends and family about the awe-inspiring/ mortifying/ challenging/ invigorating/ confusing topic we learned about that day! And then over dinner, I would do the same with my housemates. This is what true learning feels like!”

“Frankie is unlike any other professor or faculty member I have ever met. She makes an extensive effort to get to know her students, to really see them as the holistic person they are and support them in achieving their unique goals and studying their academic passions. […] Throughout this year, my meetings with her have helped me to improve my legal research and analysis, but they have also served as a sacred opportunity to receive support during busy and difficult times as well as advice on the many major life choices I am going to have to make in the next few years.”

“Dr. Frank goes above and beyond in every aspect of her teaching. She presents intriguing lectures, values student questions, makes herself consistently available outside of class, offers support and resources to any students in need, encourages students to pursue individual research, and gives constructive feedback. Dr. Frank truly cares about her students and is eager to help them achieve their goals within and outside of the classroom, even if that involves taking on additional work herself. My thesis experiences with Dr. Frank were the result of unforeseen circumstances which necessitated my finding a new advisor in March, just two months before my thesis was due. Without hesitating, Dr. Frank wholeheartedly agreed to serve as my advisor, advocating for me and my research in a truly incredible manner. Dr. Frank shows similar compassion to all of her mentees and regular class students; she strives to create a learning environment that is comfortable, constructive, and conducive to both individual growth and conversation.”

“Jenny taught our class about very practical subjects regarding research, and offered us a tour of her lab, where we could see the exact environment and procedures that subjects experience. She is a very kind person who is willing to help with subjects both inside and outside of her class, and builds a relationship with students in her small classes – I feel comfortable contacting her about honors-related matters, as well as anything else.”

“I always felt so welcome and driven to learn more in our honors-only section, which was the core class in the FIG I took part in. […] I could not imagine a better way to have transitioned into college than by being a part of Dr. Saffran’s honors only FIG.”

“In [Jenny Saffran’s] class, we wrote to research papers and worked with writing fellows to help enhance our writing skills. She also taught us how to read research papers and articles, which helped me with other classes. […] I met a lot of friends through her class because she had us sit with someone different each day and had us exchange contact information.”

“Jenny is an absolutely amazing mentor. […] She facilitates an environment where all of her students can thrive: one where curiosity is encouraged and feedback is prioritized. While working with her on my thesis, she encouraged me to go beyond superficial questions and find something I am truly passionate about. When it seemed like things weren’t going my way and I kept hitting roadblocks, she provided a space where I could express my frustration, we could talk things out, and eventually find a solution.”

“Professor Sankaran’s teaching style includes posing thoughtful questions, encouraging discussion, and allowing students to engage intellectually before explaining concepts. He incorporated coding examples from his past projects and provided well-organized code files, self-recorded videos, and supplemental reading materials, all of which reflected the care he puts into teaching. I initially did not plan to pursue honors credit, but the course sparked my interest, and I chose to take it for honors. For my honors credit project, Professor Sankaran recommended articles based on my interests. Although the topic was unfamiliar to me, he supported my learning throughout the process. I frequently visited his office hours to confirm my understanding, and he was always patient, answering even basic questions. His guidance helped me build confidence and encouraged me to continue studying and conducting research in a related field. While Professor Sankaran is not my thesis advisor, he has been generous with his time. He discussed my thesis ideas with me, provided feedback, and suggested helpful resources. His support contributed to my receiving the Trewartha Senior Honors Thesis Award. He consistently encourages research that is meaningful and practical, shaping how I think about the purpose of my work. His patient, supportive mentorship and clear passion for research and teaching have made a lasting impression on me. I see in him the kind of scholar I hope to become—collaborative, thoughtful, and committed to serving the academic community.”

“Melissa Ann Sheedy […] is relentlessly compassionate, analytic, and motivated to help her students love the subject she has dedicated herself to as a teaching professor. When I took Dr. Sheedy’s Kafka class, I was hospitalized for a week for psychiatric issues and had to catch up on a lot of my work. Dr. Sheedy was exceedingly patient and supportive of me, and herself graded things so I could have more time to turn them in. Moreover, I have never seen a class the size of Dr. Sheedy’s been so enthralled by the way a professor teaches before, and so passionate. She really makes you think deeply about Kafka’s life and related genres of work while being funny, charismatic and attuned to people’s needs. Because of her, despite what happened to me, I was able to submit an honors project that was truly worked around my passion for creativity and storytelling and incorporated the class teachings. Additionally, Dr. Sheedy did not stop being my teacher just because I was no longer enrolled in her classes — she has written me countless recommendations on short notice, nominated me for an award and simply been there to talk about our lives and opinions. Dr. Sheedy is an amazing person and has invigorated my love for Kafka’s readings. She is a truly unique teacher who embodies going above and beyond in the honors way.”

“Professor Thebault-Spieker is a great example of what it means to be a dedicated and inspiring honors mentor. When I approached him about completing a Green Sheet Honors project for CS 570, he was genuinely excited to help me shape something meaningful. He encouraged me to find value in the work and focus on gaining real-world experience, rather than just completing the project for the sake of honors credit. Through several one-on-one meetings, he helped me narrow my focus and design a project that aligned with both my academic interests and long-term goals. He went the extra mile by connecting me with contacts in the Agricultural and Applied Economics department and helped me find a research project where I could both contribute meaningfully and build interdisciplinary skills as an Economics double major. His mentorship has deeply enriched my honors experience and helped me see the broader impact of HCI work beyond the classroom.”

“Professor Thoma displayed a care for her students that went above and beyond that of other faculty. She made a great effort to check in with each of us at the start of class, and often incorporated ‘warm-up’ share-outs in class. This fostered a stronger sense of community amongst my peers and I and made me look forward to the class. We would often spend time outside for our labs and Professor Thoma would engage in conversation with us as we passed time in nature. Beyond the classroom, she frequently sent out emails inviting the class to participate in nature walks with her, such as a sunrise walk to Picnic Point. Participating in these extra activities enhanced my overall learning experience because it allowed me to see how the concepts we learned in class were all around me in the real world. I struggle to understand biology, and I found the class challenging. Despite this, I loved it because of the way Professor Thoma made clear its importance in daily life.”

“Throughout the semester, Professor Thoma really took time to get to know her students. She always asked us how our weeks were going and would be extremely understanding if the class needed an assignment pushed back or an exam rescheduled. Also, [Zoology 200] was a really good introduction to UW-Madison which I didn’t really expect. She took us to all these cool locations (Greenhouse, Allen Centennial Garden, Lakeshore Path, etc) and let us explore while also making sure we practiced Forest Bathing which was a central topic for the class. She taught us critical stress management techniques throughout the course, and I try to use those tools today. It was an extremely informative and interesting class, and Professor Thoma really took time to make it engaging and fun as well.”