Current Recipient

Susan Michael, Senior Lecturer

Department of Chemistry

Michael, a senior lecturer of chemistry, is an exceptional teacher who has touched the lives of her students through her desire to get to know them individually. She comes to each class prepared to present material in as many ways and contexts she can think of to accommodate the multiple learning styles that exist among her students. 

“As a teacher, I believe it is my responsibility to do four basic things for all of my students,” said Michael. “I must motivate my students to want to learn; I must present the material in a manner that makes it easy for students to learn effectively; I must provide meaningful opportunities for students to use or practice their newly acquired knowledge; and I must assess their learning in a fair and appropriate manner.”

Thomas A. Schmedake, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, stated, “Susan is an exceptional teacher. She has 25 years of experience teaching chemistry at UNC Charlotte and has taught over 10,000 students in introductory lectures and labs. Michael has had a tremendous impact on the department and on generations of chemistry students.”