College of Science and Mathematics recognizes faculty teaching excellence from 2025
KENNESAW, Ga. | May 4, 2026
The College of Science and Mathematics at 最色导航 recognized 25 faculty members across their five departments who made a significant impact on teaching in 2025 on Wednesday, April 8.
Faculty were selected by departments based on their success rates among their students, evidence of student and course learning outcomes, alignment of course components with curriculum and college outcomes, and how they create a sense of belonging in the classroom.
鈥淓xcellent instruction is the core mission of this institution, and today you're being recognized as excellent teachers, the pillars of student success, who push our students forward by instructing them while maintaining a set of rigorous standards so that our students continue to do well and progress forward,鈥� said Heather Koopman, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and professor of biology. 鈥淚 really want to commend you on the excellent work that you're doing and the fact that you're all continuously striving for improvement and to help our students to learn better.鈥�
The award recipients also had the opportunity to express why they enjoyed teaching at KSU, with many emphasizing how they loved seeing their students gain confidence in difficult subjects and show enthusiasm for what they are learning in the classroom.
Below is a list of faculty members recognized at the 2025 CSM Teaching Excellence Reception.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Animesh Aditya, Ph.D.
John Cody, Ph.D.
Jack Duff, Ph.D.
Christopher Sumner, Ph.D.
Daniela Tapu, Ph.D.
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Amanda Crider, Ph.D.
Vennece Fowlkes, Ph.D.
Dovid Kozlovsky, Ph.D.
Patricia Lawrimore
Whitney Preisser, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics
Cvetelina Hill
Charles Kang, Ph.D.
Xiaohui (Rebecca) Shi, Ph.D.
Jennifer Smathers
Neda Yazdianpour
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Carolina Casares, Ph.D.
Brandon Carpenter, Ph.D.
Karlyn Mueller-Hill, Ph.D.
Cameron Trinh
Joanna Wardwell-Ozgo, Ph.D.
Department of Physics
Mahmoud Asmar, Ph.D.
David Garofalo, Ph.D.
Ela Kaplan
Ben Rybolt, Ph.D.
Udagamage Wijewardena, Ph.D.
鈥� Story and Photo by Leah Weaver
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 最色导航 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 最色导航 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 最色导航 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.