Faculty members from UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint have been named Distinguished Professors of the Year by the Michigan Association of State Universities, which represents the state’s 15 public universities.
Hiba Wehbe-Alamah
Brahim Medjahed, professor of computer and information science at UM-Dearborn, and Hiba Wehbe-Alamah, professor of nursing at UM-Flint, were among three recipients of this year’s award, which recognizes their outstanding contributions and dedication to the education of undergraduate students.
“After 13 years, nominees for the award continue to bring new scholarship and innovation to Michigan’s public universities and surrounding communities,” said Daniel J. Hurley, chief executive officer of MASU. “These professors have the highest dedication to student success and produce degree holders who advance Michigan’s prosperity.”
Medjahed, who also is associate dean for academic programs and initiatives for UM-Dearborn at the Rackham Graduate School, has taught at UM-Dearborn since 2004.
He has expanded his teaching into high schools and is intentional about bringing greater diversity to computer science studies. He also helped design UM-Dearborn’s undergraduate program in cybersecurity, and jointly leads a regional collaborative dedicated to increasing student data literacy.
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“Professor Medjahed is a visionary and passionate educator and scholar, who has dedicated much of his career to building and supporting new opportunities for undergraduate students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, as well as for teachers and prospective students in the larger community we serve,” said Catherine A. Davy, UM-Dearborn provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Wehbe-Alamah has taught at UM-Flint since 2006, and is a global leader in Culture Care Theory and Ethnonursing research. Her undergraduate courses on transcultural health are open to and sought after by students in all majors.
She led the development of the first transcultural care computer simulation game, CultureCopia, and two of her recently co-authored textbooks on nursing are being used in 17 countries in addition to the United States.
“Dr. Wehbe-Alamah is a transformational teacher,” said UM-Flint Chancellor Susan Borrego. “Since I have known Hiba, I’ve seen the inspirational ways she leads her students to be their very best while empowering them with deep knowledge. Within her students, she ignites a love of learning and service to others that’s at the core of who she is, and that’s crucial on the front lines of global health.”
