Every year the College of Business recognizes several employees for Faculty Excellence Awards. This year, four new awards were introduced: the Teaching Innovation Award, the Engaged Teaching Award, the Societal Impact Award and the COB Impact Award.

These awards were given to “highlight the exceptional work of this faculty and to encourage continued excellence in the areas of societal impact, research, service, innovative teaching, engaged teaching, and an individual’s impact on the college itself,” the COB’s website said. 

The Teaching Innovation Award was given to Steven Schlachter.

“Dr. Schlachter was recognized because of his efforts to innovate in every one of the classes he teaches, whether face-to-face or online. His work sets an excellent example as the world of higher education attempts to find ways to engage students in and outside of the classroom,” the website said. 

The Engaged Teaching Award was given to professor Cynthia Burleson, the director of the Center for Insurance and Risk Management, for her work contributing to the IRM program and helping students gain experience and network. 

The two new impact awards were given to professor Steve Nelson and Jeremy Horpedahl. 

“Frankly, I was a bit shocked to receive this award.  In my work history, I have always worked hard at any assigned task. The satisfaction of performing a job well is reward enough.  However, it is gratifying to be given this award for performing a job whose function is essentially ‘behind the scenes,’” Nelson said.

Nelson has worked for UCA since 2015 as the director of assessment for the COB.

“I feel truly blessed to be on the UCA faculty.  I believe that we are an excellent institution of higher learning and are making a positive impact in the lives of our students.  I am fortunate to work in the College of Business and in the accounting department.  Being surrounded by excellent leaders, caring colleagues and bright students makes this a tremendous place to work,” Nelson said. 

Horpedahl received the Societal Impact Award and has also worked for UCA since 2015 as a professor and is currently the director of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics. 

“I feel extremely honored and I was very surprised. This is a new award, but I didn’t even know it was being presented until I was sitting in the COB Auditorium at our opening meeting this fall,” Horpedahl said.

“The award recognizes my work both inside and outside the classroom, including my public outreach through writing in newspapers, appearing on TV, work on social media and testifying before the state legislature. I have always been proud of my broad range of work through UCA and ACRE, but I never expected to receive an award for it,” Horpedahl said. 

In addition to the four new awards, the COB also recognized Alex Chen for excellence in research and Susan Shaw for excellence in service.