The Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize faculty for excellent instruction. They memorialize Robert H. and Ruth M. Kroepsch and her parents, Walter C. and Mary L. Maurice. Robert H. Kroepsch served as Registrar and Dean of Administration at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ from 1946-56. Ruth Kroepsch graduated from ¶¶Òõ̽̽ in 1938 and her father, Walter Maurice, graduated from ¶¶Òõ̽̽ in 1909. All four were teachers. The Kroepsch-Maurice Awards are administered under the authority of the Office of the Provost in support of academic excellence in teaching and learning.
The Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize faculty members for their excellence in teaching undergraduate courses, including creating an environment conducive to and encouraging learning. Each year, one faculty member in each of the four faculty ranks (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor) receives this honor.
The AY 2023-2024 award recipients are:
Lecturer Glenn Levine-West, Ph.D.
Lecturer Glenn Levine-West, Ph.D., Program in German, Russian, and Hebrew, School of World Languages and Cultures, College of Arts and Sciences
Glenn Levine-West’s research interests are applied linguistics, foreign language pedagogy, language program direction, multilingualism, sociolinguistics, Germanic linguistics, Yiddish language and literature, and German-Jewish literature. His students describe him as very passionate and one of the most dedicated professors to helping students understand the materials they are learning. He is a good communicator with great classroom management and excellent teaching skills, and he clearly makes an effort to create an engaging, inclusive, safe, and encouraging classroom.
Assistant Professor Nicole Conroy, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Nicole Conroy, Ph.D., Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science, College of Education and Social Services
Nicole Conroy’s research and teaching center on the contextual and transactional nature of human development and relationships, with a focus on strengths-based perspectives to promote positive development and healthy relationships. She has taught courses on power and interpersonal violence, human sexuality, research methods, family theories, and human development, and contributes to several community-engaged learning opportunities for students. According to one colleague, “Nicole’s record of teaching is exemplary and consistently receives some of the highest teaching evaluation scores in the department. The quality of her teaching far exceeds the standards set forth by ¶¶Òõ̽̽ and over 1,650 students have been fortunate enough to engage in her classes.â€
Associate Professor Kate Nolfi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Kate Nolfi, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
Kate Nolfi's primary research interests lie at the intersection of epistemology, metaethics, and the philosophy of mind. Her research investigates these questions together, as inextricably interrelated and mutually informative. 1) what are beliefs? 2) what does it take to have beliefs that are justified, or to believe rationally? and, 3) why should we care about whether our beliefs are justified, or whether we believe in ways that are rational? In the words of a former student, “Dr. Nolfi is a fantastic professor, and I am incredibly grateful to have learned from her. She taught the class in an instructional yet conversational manner that encouraged engagement and active participation. She frequently asked for feedback, which I appreciated since it meant she was genuinely concerned with teaching us in the most effective way possible.â€
Professor Tyler Doggett, Ph.D.
Professor Tyler Doggett, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
Tyler Doggett is most interested in ethics, philosophy of mind, early modern philosophy, and metaphysics. He primarily teaches ethics courses, including courses on altruism, food ethics, parenting ethics, and the ethics of killing various things. A recent student wrote, “This was an all–around incredible course where I felt encouraged to grow as a learner and a thinker. Tyler's willingness to spend time and go over concepts until there was a collective understanding is highly valuable. I felt challenged by the conversations in class and the readings allowed me to think more deeply about our discussions in class.â€
Eligibility/Criteria
All full-time ¶¶Òõ̽̽ faculty members engaged in teaching undergraduate courses, with the exception of previous award winners, are eligible for the award. Criteria include the following:
- Nominees must teach undergraduate courses in order to be eligible;
- Curriculum & Instruction;
- Curriculum: Designs innovative teaching methods and/or develops curriculum that challenges and inspires students.
- Instruction: Engages students in active, meaningful learning activities.
- Learning Environment;
- Course Structure: Establishes course policies and structures that are supportive of and conducive to student learning.
- Classroom Culture: Cultivates a classroom culture centered on trust, collaboration, and openness.
- Commitment to Advancing Diversity & Inclusion; and
- Cultural Responsiveness: Integrates students’ diverse experiences and perspectives into the learning experience fostering inclusivity and relevance.
- Accessibility: Adapts instruction and materials to be accessible to students from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities, creating equitable learning opportunities.
- Our Common Ground for Lifelong Learning
- Creates a learning community that values respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility.
Nomination Process
Faculty, staff and students may nominate faculty members for The Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Nomination material should be submitted with the "The Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Awards Nomination" as the file name no later than 11:59 PM on February 1st (if this date falls on a weekend, the due date is the following Monday).
Award Committee
The Committee is made up of faculty members representing degree granting colleges or schools and former award recipients. The Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs appoints the Chair of the Committee and its members. The Committee recommends candidates for the award to the Provost. The Provost makes the final decision regarding award recipients.
Award Review Committee 2023-2026
Review Committee Chair: Carmen Petrick Smith, Associate Professor, Department of Education, College of Education & Social Services
Review Committee Members:
- Clayton Cafiero, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences
- Anthony (Tony) D'Amato, Professor, Director of Forestry Program, Director of ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Research Forests, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
- Lisa Dion, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
- Deborah Hinchey, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biomedical & Health Sciences, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Todd Pritchard, Senior Lecturer, Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
- Cynthia Reyes, Professor, Department of Education; Associate Dean for Academic & Faculty Affairs, College of Education & Social Services
- Pramodita (Dita) Sharma, Professor, Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business, Grossman School of Business
- Richard Single, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
- Daniel (Dan) Tobin, Associate Professor, Department of Community Development & Applied Economics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Rebecca Wilcox, Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Larner College of Medicine
- Holly Buckland Parker, Educational Developer & Graduate Teaching Program Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning: Ex-Officio Non-Voting member
Selection Timeline
- December 1, annually: Call for nominations opens.
- February 1, annually: Nominations due. *(if February 1st falls on a weekend, the due date is the following Monday)
- February 1 - March 30: Nomination Reviewed by Awards Committee.
- April 1: Awards Committee submits list of finalists to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Jokech@uvm.edu. Copy submissions to Jennifer Diaz (she/her) at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu.
- May 1: The Provost announces award recipients.
For more information
Contact Jennifer Diaz (she/her) at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu