Student Leadership Council 2025 Faculty Awards

The Student Leadership Council is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Faculty Awards. We would like to thank all faculty members at the School of Public Health for their dedication to the school, and all students who nominated faculty members for this recognition.

Give a shout out to the recipients if you see them around!

Assistant Professor Sarah Andrea
“Sarah creates safe mentorship spaces for students through authenticity, humor, careful listening, encouraging of questions, and approachable and understandable responses and guidance. Sarah supports and encourages students to think through the complex concepts in Epidemiology and research and articulate their thoughts and ideas. In addition, Sarah also provides structure within which to carry out learning activities so the work feels approachable and manageable, while also giving space for students to keep their ideas front and center, develop independence, and stretch their skills. I have learned so much from Sarah. I am never afraid to ask questions about things I might worry I “should” know, and when learning from a mentor, this is so valuable and important! And equally as important, I have
always felt accepted and appreciated for just being myself.”

Teaching Assistant Professor Belinda Zeidler

“She has shown dedication every time she teaches to her students inside and outside the classroom.”

“Her service over the past thirty years in the school of public health has made the school what it is now and has developed standards and guided so many people to becoming more than they ever thought they could.”

“She goes above and beyond for the people in her life and for her students especially. To her she wants to make everyone succeed using life experience or helping a student achieve new highs in their education.”

Professor Lynne Messer
“Studies have shown that one of the most important aspects in a person’s ability to learn is if they feel safe in a space or not. Dr. Messer is incredibly kind and ensures that all her students have that space in which they can learn. From her 5 minutes of silence to her dedication of an entire class to issues that students had, Dr. Messer strives to make it about the learning and not about the grade or the stress. And it doesn’t stop when the class ends. She is constantly thinking about her former students and gives them advice when needed or just an ear. She was a great way to begin my experience as a grad student and played a significant role in how I viewed the school. I don’t think that I would have completed my degree if it wasn’t for her.”

Assistant Professor Nicky Wakim
“Dr. Wakim was given the large task of overhauling BSTA 511 over just last summer, and then teaching it for the first time, as well as the rest of the BSTA series. I’ve heard from people in my cohort that work as her TA’s that her newly improved 511 was greatly improved. Her lectures are engaging even with the dense content, and her class materials are super helpful for visual learners.”

“Nicky is an incredible teacher, mentor, and activist. I can’t think of a single more deserving person to represent this year’s class than Nicky. She is incredibly enthusiastic about teaching; is very involved with the school; and encourages her students to investigate, think critically, and push themselves academically all without making them feel pressured. She has helped me create boundaries for my own mental health and has helped me look at things from a different angle. I believe that Nicky is a shining example of what the SPH wants to be.”

Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

Recognizes a faculty 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 among students, colleagues, and alumni
• Positive guidance and constructive feedback; and
• Sustained commitment to teaching

(all SPH students may nominate)

Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentorship

Recognizes a faculty 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 among students, colleagues, and alumni
• Positive guidance and constructive feedback
• Sustained commitment to students’ ongoing learning and growth in the field; and
• Promoting high levels of student learning and achievement

(all SPH students may nominate)

Faculty Award for Excellence in Service

Recognizes a faculty who demonstrated sustained contributions in the following areas:

• Supporting student activities;
• Sponsorship of SPH events; and
• Supporting services for students, faculty, and other members

(all SPH students may nominate)

Faculty of the Year Award / Faculty Marshal for graduation ceremony

• Awardee will be selected based on outstanding teaching/mentorship, professional achievements, leadership in the university community, and length of service.
• Awardee will serve as the Faculty Marshal and represent the SPH at the OHSU graduation and hooding ceremony on June 9th, 2023. 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

(all SPH students may nominate)