ME faculty named ASEE Outstanding New Teacher

March 23, 2016

knizleySTARKVILLE, Miss. — A Bagley College of Engineering faculty member has gained recognition for her teaching efforts by a national organization.

ME instructor Alta Knizley has been named the American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern Section’s Outstanding New Teacher, and was presented with the award at the ASEE-SE conference in March.

Knizley, who is in her fourth year of teaching, said that she is both honored and excited to receive the Outstanding New Teacher Award, which recognizes a teacher for education enthusiasm, classroom success and contribution to the professional development of students.

“Receiving the Outstanding New Teacher Award offers me an outside perspective that I’m currently on the right track toward meeting the balance of fairness, academic rigor, student engagement and course relevance in my classes, and I greatly appreciate the acknowledgement and encouragement from those with greater experience in engineering education,“ Knizley said.

“I would not have gotten this award or recognition without such great support and mentorship from senior faculty members, my department and the BCoE,” she added.

Knizley earned a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Bagley College of Engineering. Along with teaching and mentoring students, she conducts research focused on engineering education and energy sustainability.

“To me, teaching is about more than the mere absorption of knowledge, but rather the encouragement of students to meet their full potential,” Knizley said.

Founded in 1893, the American Society for Engineering Education seeks to promote excellence in engineering education across the full spectrum of engineering fields. The southeastern section holds yearly conferences to discuss the problems and opportunities faced in engineering education.

For more information on ASEE, visit www.asee.org.

The BCoE is available online at www.bagley.msstate.edu.

By: Emile Creel