Camarillo, Calif., April 19, 2012 – Andrea Grove, Professor of Political Science at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been awarded CI’s second annual President’s Award for Innovations in Teaching and Learning. This award is presented in recognition of an individual who has made unique and significant contributions to the teaching mission of the University.
Applications were judged by a reviewer from outside CI. Criteria for judging included: impact on and involvement with students; a scholarly approach to teaching and learning; contributions to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession; and support from colleagues and students. Stephanie Garcia, one of the students who nominated Grove said, “In so many ways, she dedicates her life to students by teaching us the curriculum with heart. She is passionate about what she teaches and you feel it as she lectures.”
Grove was selected, in part, for her creation of experiential learning opportunities for her students through her study abroad course, Journey to the New South Africa, in which students spend a semester studying the history and social and political structures of South Africa, then travel to South Africa to experience the country first hand. As Grove says of this class, “our students are global citizens and they get that, and many of them have been ignited to learn more, to do more—to figure out how they contribute to these challenges and how they might act to address them.” In addition to this course, Grove has created another study abroad course, Ireland: From Civil War to Celtic Tiger, and has taught the Model United Nations course and taken students to Model UN conferences, leading the CI team to nine awards in the past five years.
As a teacher-scholar, Grove has published not only in the field of foreign policy, but also has contributed to the scholarship of teaching and learning. She has published an article about creating Model UN teams, and an analysis of how textbooks represent foreign policy. Grove’s work presents an excellent model of integrating her scholarship into her teaching, and her teaching into her scholarship.
In addition to these accomplishments, Grove as served as the Faculty Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and the Faculty Director of the California Institute for Social Business.
“Dr. Grove exhibits every quality we look for in an outstanding faculty member. She supports our mission pillars in a way that engages students and leaves them better prepared to address critical questions that are important for our democratic society,” stated President Richard R. Rush.
The award carries with it recognition at CI’s Honors Convocation on May 4. In addition, Grove will be nominated by CI for the Carnegie Foundation’s U.S. Professors of the Year Award. That award honors those who excel as educators and influence the lives and careers of their students. It is sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and is the only national program to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.