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Wibbelsman wins 2017 Junior Faculty Teaching Award

May 9, 2017

Wibbelsman wins 2017 Junior Faculty Teaching Award

Michelle Wibbelsman

In a surprise visit to her Andean Ensemble classroom, Department of Spanish and Portuguese assistant professor Michelle Wibbelsman learned that she won the 2017 Junior Faculty Teaching Award from the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

The award recognizes excellence in teaching Latin American Studies courses, and there must be evidence of that excellence in four areas:

  1. Outstanding teaching effectiveness, including pedagogical style and student successes stories.
  2. Contributions to the Latin American Studies program and/or the Department.
  3. Involvement in the larger community, including professional associations and participation in service activities.
  4. Incorporation of own academic research and field experiences into the classroom.

The selection process is long and thorough, and has included not only an official nomination by the Center for Latin American Studies at The Ohio State University, but also input from current and former students. The selection committee was impressed with Dr. Wibbelsman’s pioneering contributions to teaching about Latin America and her impact as a scholar. 

Dr. Wibbelsman established the Integrated Learning Environment for the Study of Andean and Amazonian Languages and Cultures and is leading the charge on incorporating the use of material culture in the classroom and implementing learning methods across a range of language and culture courses. She has also spearheaded the creation of the Andean Ensemble, an inter-departmental collaboration between the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Center for Latin American Studies, and the School of Music. In addition, Dr. Wibbelsman is overseeing the development of an online, interactive presence for Andean & Amazonian Studies at Ohio State, which will include digital storytelling to provide a useful resource for faculty who are interested in integrating Andean & Amazonian Studies into their curriculum.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Wibbelsman is generous with her time and plays a key role in community programming through her position as director of the CLAS Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad and her service to the Spanish and Portuguese Club, the Quechua Learning Community, the Advisory Committee of the Organization of Hispanic Faculty and Staff, and the Andean Music Ensemble. Michelle has increased the visibility of Ohio State as an institution at the curricular and programmatic forefront of diversity and inclusion, and as a leader in pedagogies and resources that promote cultural awareness and appreciation along with a real commitment to engage Latin American indigenous cultures on their own terms.

The award comes with a trophy, which is generally presented at the annual LASA conference, as well as a cash prize. 

Join us in congratulating Dr. Wibbelsman for receiving the CLASP 2017 Junior Faculty Teaching Award!