2026 Faculty Excellence Awards!
The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards! Nominations were reviewed and scored by a committee of SPH student leaders, and these awards celebrate the outstanding contributions, mentorship, and dedication of our faculty, as recognized by our students.
We extend our sincere thanks to all School of Public Health faculty for their commitment to excellence, and to the many students who took the time to nominate faculty members for this special recognition.
Be sure to give a shout out to this year’s recipients if you see them around—we’re proud to celebrate their impact on our community!
Faculty of the Year Award: Professor Betty Izumi
This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrated sustained contributions in outstanding teaching/mentorship, professional achievements, and leadership in the university community. The Awardee will serve as the Faculty Marshal and represent the SPH at the OHSU graduation and hooding ceremony on June 5th, 2026. The Faculty Marshal will carry the SPH flag and will be involved in every aspect of the Commencement process from the opening procession and seating of candidates to the concluding recessional.
“I am nominating Dr. Betty Izumi for the Faculty of the Year award to recognize her invaluable mentorship, her professional influence in the university and the larger Portland community, and her length of service at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health”.
“As an educator, Dr. Izumi’s applied learning approach creates opportunities that are impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom setting”.
“Dr. Izumi’s course, Asian American Health Equity, is the first course I have taken that taught me about health frameworks that deliberately incorporate elements of cultural appropriateness and sensitivity”.
“As a mentor, Dr. Izumi maintains high expectations for her students’ work ethic, while allowing space for students to express their creativity and explore their professional interests”.
“Dr. Izumi’s accomplishments as a mentor, an educator, and a committed faculty member make her an excellent candidate to be nominated as the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty of the Year”.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Adjunct Instructor Ma’Adjoa Manu
This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrated sustained contributions in the following areas:
- High standard of teaching effectiveness
- Outstanding and/or innovative teaching
- Exhibiting enthusiasm in the field
- Positive reputation for students, colleagues and alumni
- Positive guidance and constructive feedback; and
- Sustained commitment to teaching
“She has truly helped me beyond just the classroom, especially by supporting my academic and professional growth”.
“She is passionate and very open to helping students with any questions we have. She creates an environment where students feel comfortable asking for help and actually feel supported”.
“Her enthusiasm, support, and willingness to go the extra mile for her students really stand out. She not only teaches the material well but also helps students grow beyond the classroom, which is why I strongly believe she deserves to be nominated for this award”.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentorship: Professor Cara Eckhardt
This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrated sustained contributions in the following areas:
- Positive attitude and providing a positive role model
- Taking a personal interest in the mentoring relationship
- Exhibiting enthusiasm in the field
- Positive reputation for students, colleagues and alumni
- Positive guidance and constructive feedback
- Sustained commitment to student’s ongoing learning and growth in the field; and
- Promoting high levels of student learning and achievement
“She was a profoundly influential professor for me during my first term at PSU. She showed me beauty through chaos”.
“For her to notice my talent and remember my person soothed my fears that I didn’t belong here at PSU”.
“She cares about this world and incorporates her global experiences into her teaching, with this she achieves a level of cultural competency I have rarely seen in faculty”.
“She sees her students holistically and is sensitive to the fact that many of us are disabled, single parents, full time workers, and simply human beings who may be enthusiastic academically but need grace and a kind hand to reach out in order to support our aspirations”.
“I wouldn’t be the student I am today without her. In just being herself and undertaking the deep privilege that it is to be an educator she has touched my life.”
“Under the guidance of Dr. Cara Eckhardt I never felt alone. I never felt like I couldn’t be anything but great. I never felt like a statistic doomed for failure. Even in my darkest moments she shone a light that made me know I have a bright future ahead of me”.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the vital role our faculty play in supporting our students and strengthening our school.