Five University of Michigan lecturers have been honored for their outstanding contributions to instruction and inclusive teaching.
Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, named Patrick Boland, Jennifer Metsker, Maria Rodriguez and Ellen Poteet 2024-25 Collegiate Lecturers and bestowed Kelsey McLendon with the 2024 Lecturer Excellence in Inclusive Teaching Award.
The university awards up to four Collegiate Lecturer titles annually to lecturers II and IV who demonstrate a sustained record of excellence in teaching and learning, or in service or other contributions to the university.
One lecturer is selected each year for the LEIT Award, which is open to all lecturer classifications. This award recognizes lecturers who demonstrate a sustained record of excellence in inclusive teaching practices.
The following summaries were drawn from letters of support submitted for each honoree:
Patrick Boland
Lecturer II in LSA’s Department of Mathematics
Boland is recognized as an excellent instructor and an active contributor to the mathematics community at U-M. His innovative approach to course development, such as for the Introduction of Cryptography, reflects his commitment to keeping the curriculum relevant and stimulating.
He was nominated for multiple Golden Apple teaching awards, and received the Michigan Housing Honored Instructor award in 2019 and 2020. That award allows housing students the opportunity to honor instructors who make a positive impact on their collegiate journey at U-M.
Boland’s ability to challenge his students encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, helping them to not only grasp the material but also apply it in real-world situations. By creating an engaging classroom atmosphere, he empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey, making mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Jennifer Metsker
Lecturer IV in Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design
Metsker is a deeply committed educator who engages in self-reflection and critical analysis of her teaching practices. She has significantly enriched the Stamps School curriculum and community through her leadership and expertise. Metsker implements innovative and effective pedagogical methods that cultivate a passion for writing among her students.
In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, she redesigned the Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis-writing assignments and materials, ensuring they meet current educational needs and preparing students for their future careers.
She has been awarded multiple grants, allowing her to develop courses at the Stamps School. She has received multiple awards, including the Avery Hopwood award, Moscow Prize for Excellence in Teaching Composition, and the Academy of American poets prize.
Metsker is noted for her empathy and patience, skillfully meeting students where they are and forging valuable, relevant and inspiring connections with them.
Maria (Mabel) Rodriguez
Lecturer IV in LSA’s Residential College
Rodriguez
Rodriguez has made significant contributions to both her students and the migrant community through her innovative teaching methods and dedicated service. Rodriguez founded and redesigned the Migrant Outreach and Education course, ensuring it aligns with current learning objectives and the needs of migrant students.
She has co-authored a textbook focused on advanced Spanish composition and has written articles that reflect her work with the Michigan migrant community.
Rodriguez has adopted a flexible pedagogical framework that accommodates various learning paths and promotes transparency, allowing students to engage with the material in diverse ways. Her implementation of her new pedagogy led to a notable increase in student scores, ranging from 10%-15% in certain language skills.
She has earned several major awards, including the LSA Excellence in Education award three times, a Michigan Campus Compact faculty award, and two Michigan Housing Honored Instructor awards.
Ellen Poteet
Lecturer II in LSA’s Department of History
Poteet was recognized posthumously for her extensive experience and dedication to teaching. Her ability to blend history with language education while volunteering at a prison in Cameroon demonstrated a profound commitment to enriching the lives of her students. Since joining U-M, she taught an impressive range of courses, demonstrating to her students a distinctive approach to pedagogy and creative teaching.
In 2018, Poteet was honored with the Undergraduate Teaching award, an accolade governed by students that recognizes faculty who exemplify exceptional, challenging and innovative teaching methods and make a profound impact on student learning.
Her ability to engage and inspire students with her dynamic and forward-thinking approach to education made her a standout choice for this recognition. Her work undoubtedly left a lasting impression on those she advised and taught. Poteet died April 3, 2024, in Batouri, Cameroon.
Kelsey McLendon
Lecturer III in College of Engineering Technical Communication
McLendon demonstrates a strong commitment to equitable and inclusive teaching practices in her courses, making conscious efforts to create a supportive environment for all students. She has taken the initiative to organize departmental and collegewide workshops and speaker series aimed at enhancing faculty knowledge and skills in implementing inclusive teaching strategies.
She has revamped the technical communication modules in her Engineering 100 course to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion principles, reinforcing their importance in her teaching.
McLendon has received multiple awards, including the department faculty award for the program in technical communication, and values a sense of community within her classroom, recognizing that a supportive and inclusive atmosphere enhances student learning and engagement.
