The Michigan State University College of Engineering recognizes 19 faculty and staff members with awards for their excellence in service and distinguished contributions.
Honorees will be presented their awards during the 2024 Engineering Awards event to be held later this year.
Of the 19 award recipients, nine received awards that recognize their excellence in teaching. Eight of these honorees will receive awards established through the Endowed Teacher/Scholar/Service Award Program.
The 2024 Engineering Awards recipients related to teaching and details on why each was nominated for the honor:
Engineering Excellence Teaching Fellow Award
This award honors an individual who initiates successful activities that promote a positive and inclusive learning environment for their students.
Maddalena Fanelli approaches her specialist/teacher position in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science with a dedicated safety culture – the lifeblood of the department’s discipline – in both industrial and academic contexts. She started her career at MSU as a teaching specialist in 2012 after eight years of graduate experience and 13 years of industrial experience. Maddalena enjoys incorporating innovation into her teaching. She is an advocate for creating mentoring experiences that allow students to make connections between the fundamental concepts of their disciplines and practical applications. “Dr. Fanelli is a strong believer in leading by example and does her best to be flexible, considerate and fair,” wrote a colleague. “Students see this and appreciate it, feeling at ease in asking for fair accommodations.”
Withrow Teaching Excellence Awards
These awards, based primarily on student nominations, recognize faculty who have created effective, enthusiastic learning environments, are accessible and dedicated to advising and mentorship.
- Ilce Medina Meza, Bios
- ystems and Agricultural Engineering assistant professor
Ilce Medina-Meza’s creativity and dedication to teaching is highly admired by her students. The Biomedical and Agricultural Engineering associate professor is known for continually improving her coursework and seeking feedback from her students. Ilce shows a willingness to adjust her teaching strategies so they can help students of all learning styles and abilities. Since arriving at MSU in 2017, Ilce has exuded professionalism and enthusiasm for teaching. She provides several resources throughout her classes that help students comprehend her teaching materials. Those include videos, handouts, and hands-on lab experiences. Known as a caring professor, she is well-respected among her students because she’s available for guidance in and outside the classroom. “Dr. Medina-Meza is a dedicated educator who encourages students to learn difficult course concepts,” wrote a group of students, alumni, and faculty in a joint nomination letter. “She continually strives to improve her courses by surveying students throughout the semester.”
- Erin Purcell, Biomedical Engineering associate professor
Erin Purcell was selected for this award by graduate students in Biomedical Engineering (BME) based on her work developing and instructing the BME BioDesign course in Fall 2023. The associate professor has joint appointments in BME and Electrical and Computer Engineering. She’s known for working extremely hard to book the best guest lecturers and organize educational events in a smooth, professional manner. Erin has a reputation for responding quickly to student questions and requests. She joined MSU in 2012. This semester she delivered a new course to 11 BME doctoral students. “Her sustained track record of exceptional educational contributions, through her coursework and student advising, position her as an exceptionally meritorious awardee,” a colleague wrote in a recommendation letter. Erin was nominated for this award through an open vote of current BME graduate students and received highly positive comments during a recent mid-semester student survey.
- Robert Ferrier, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science assistant professor
Robert Ferrier is known for working hard to motivate students and create a supportive classroom environment in the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department. Students speak highly of the assistant professor’s ability to put himself in their shoes and his compassion for them. He breaks down challenging chemical engineering topics in a way students can understand. Robert joined MSU in 2018 and was supported for this honor by a student selection committee that praises him for his enthusiasm. Nominators said he enjoys talking to students in and outside the classroom and making class content enjoyable. One added that he is “a joy to listen to.” Other students added that he creates a space in his class where it’s comfortable to ask questions. Another student shared that Robert “not only has a love for teaching, but also a love for mentoring and being a friend.”
- Mahmoodul Haq, Civil and Environmental Engineering associate professor
Mahmoodul Haq joined the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in 2014 and has served as an investigator on research grants totaling $17 million. The associate professor’s goal as a teacher is to promote a true understanding of subject matter through active learning. Mahmoodul’s engaging approach is well-received by students because he goes above and beyond to create the ultimate educational experience. He is regularly at or near the top of annual student nominations for faculty awards and works tirelessly to make sure students have a deep understanding of his material. He continually tells students he wants them to succeed. “Dr. Haq’s goal as a teacher is to promote true understanding of the subject matter through active learning by students,” wrote a colleague in a nomination letter. “In other words, ‘learning by doing,’ rather than passively listening or watching.”
- Rachel Frisbie, Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering assistant professor
Praised by students for her inspiring and accessible teaching, Rachel Frisbie seamlessly incorporates ethics and social justice in her Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering curriculum development. The assistant professor provides crucial mentorship and support to graduate students, fostering a nurturing environment. Rachel shows leadership in her role, guiding fellow instructors to enhance learning experiences across multi-section courses. Rachel joined MSU in 2014 and consistently receives some of the highest numerical evaluations from students. She is regularly praised by students for being thoughtful in her curriculum development and encouraging students to thrive as their authentic selves. She has been lauded as “an absolute godsend” and star in the classroom, according to one of her colleagues. “Her innovative integration of evidence-based pedagogies and her dedication to fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment set her apart.”
- Emily Dolson, Computer Science and Engineering assistant professor
Emily Dolson teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the design and theory of algorithms – highly sought after courses – in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. Students frequently commend the assistant professor for being well-prepared, constantly delivering an engaging teaching style and demonstrating an ability to foster meaningful dialogue in courses. Known as a talented and enthusiastic instructor, Emily presents material in an informative and enjoyable manner that encourages student engagement. Emily joined MSU in 2020 and was previously a post-doc in the Theory Division at the Cleveland Clinic Learner Research Institute. A colleague wrote in a nomination letter that she “imparts a profound understanding of the subject matter, despite its daunting and theoretical nature.” Her nomination is based on input received from the CSE student body. She is known for her welcoming demeanor in classes and easy accessibility during office hours.
- Shaunak Bopardikar, Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor
Shaunak Bopardikar has been with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 2018 and has demonstrated an exemplary dedication to undergraduate and graduate education. The assistant professor teaches courses on control systems, digital control systems, and non-cooperative game theory. Students praise Shaunak for his willingness to help them during office hours and ability to explain material easily and effectively. Based on comments collected from undergraduate and graduate students, he’s known for his passion and enthusiasm. “Over the years, he has demonstrated exemplary dedication to undergraduate and graduate education,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “Professor Bopardikar’s reputation as an excellent instructor is well-known. His evaluations in the Student Instructional Rating System are among the best in the department.”
- Patton Allison, Mechanical Engineering assistant professor
With dedication and a love for teaching, Patton Allison instills confidence in his students so they have a clearer career path to industrial positions. Patton joined MSU in 2017 and has a natural ability to keep students active and engaged in their Mechanical Engineering coursework and projects. Students have praised the assistant professor for his willingness to clearly explain what is occurring in every class he teaches. Patton’s research interests include experimental studies of thermo fluids and reacting flows, combustion physics, non-intrusive laser diagnostics and computational modeling of combustion dynamics. “His students speak of the importance of experiencing his natural ability to excite their interests in Mechanical Engineering, especially Aerospace Engineering,” a colleague wrote in a nomination letter. “Graduate school for some, only a shadowy possibility, has become a real path in his students’ futures because of the positive impressions that have been ignited by Professor Allison.”
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Written by Eric Lacy, lacyeric@msu.edu. See more at the Engineering Media and Public Relations page.