The distinguished teaching and research awards are the highest honor bestowed on professors by the Texas Tech University System.
Seven professors from Texas Tech University were honored Thursday (Jan. 18) with the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards.
The Chancellor's Council is a giving society that supports the chancellor's priorities across the Texas Tech University System (TTU System). The awards are the most prestigious granted to faculty throughout the TTU System, and 249 faculty have received awards totaling nearly $1.5 million since they were established in 2001.
“Through the generous support of our Chancellor's Council partners, I'm honored to recognize and present our distinguished faculty with this year's teaching and research awards,” said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., chancellor of the TTU System. “It is with great pride that we celebrate these distinguished leaders for their careers dedicated to excellence in research and providing an unrivaled educational experience to our leaders of tomorrow.”
Recipients receive a $5,000 stipend and an engraved medallion.
This year's winners of the distinguished teaching and research awards include:
Shane C. Blum, College of Human Sciences:
Blum, an associate professor in the Department of Hospitality and Retail Management, won a teaching award for his work teaching Human Resource Management in the hospitality industry.
His research focuses on organizational behavior issues such as leadership, organizational culture and employee job satisfaction.
Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, College of Human Sciences:
Chang, an associate professor in Hospitality and Retail Management, won a research award because of her work studying the psychology of clothing and fashion consumer behavior.
Her research goal is to make a positive impact on fashion consumer communities by enhancing their self-concept and providing sustainable resources utilizing 3D and applied technologies.
Jarod S. Gonzalez, School of Law:
Gonzalez is the associate dean for strategic initiatives and the J. Hadley and Helen Edgar Professor of Law. He won a teaching award for his work focusing on legal frameworks at the intersection of employment law and procedure.
Jennifer Guelfo, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering:
Guelfo is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering. She won a research award and for the last 14 years has focused her research on polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals.”
Darren Hudson, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources:
Hudson, a professor and the Larry Combest Chair for Agricultural Competitiveness in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, won a teaching award for his work teaching students the ins and outs of agribusiness and agricultural trade.
Nicholas G. Smith, College of Arts & Sciences:
Smith, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, won a research award for his work on the interaction between terrestrial plants and the global climate system. His work sheds light on different global change factors and how the responses influence ecosystems.
Sarah E. Victor, College of Arts & Sciences
Victor is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences and won a research award for her work in non-suicidal self-injury and suicide. She uses advanced data and statistical methods with the goal of improving suicide and self-injury prevention strategies for high-risk individuals.