Lisa A. Scott received Florida State University’s 2016 Distinguished Teacher Award during the annual Faculty Awards Dinner April 27.
The Distinguished Teacher Award, which is the university’s top award for teaching, includes a $7,500 stipend. Nominations, initiated by students who seek to honor their most outstanding professors, are reviewed by a faculty committee, which makes the final selection.
“I have always loved learning and wanted to be a teacher,” said Scott, a research associate in the School of Communication Science and Disorders who also serves as director of clinical education in the university’s L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Lawrence Dennis, dean of the College of Communication and Information, described Scott an outstanding instructor in the clinic and the classroom.
“Dr. Scott is dedicated to helping students master the skills they need to be successful speech-language pathologists, and she does it with exceptional skill, hard work, creativity and passion,” he said.
Scott’s teaching philosophy evolved from her own experiences as a student. She was best able to learn when she was allowed to be an active participant in the learning process, had teachers who were well-versed enough to help her think beyond the lesson being presented, was expected to be responsible for her own learning and was respected for what she already knew.
“My goal is to always help my students excel by creating an active learning environment that permits them to feel important to and engaged in the process,” she said.
Scott accomplishes this with varied instructional methods that include classroom discussions, small group assignments and the use of popular media to supplement traditional lectures. She also sets high expectations for them.
“I believe my level of expectation motivates them to perform at the levels of which they are capable, rather than perform solely to earn a grade,” she said.
Scott also strives to maintain an atmosphere of respect and warmth in her classroom.
“I learn and use my students’ names, do my best to relate to their life experiences and use humor as often as possible and as it is appropriate,” she said.
Scott was named a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2014. She has served as vice president for education of the Stuttering Foundation of America since 2001. She joined Florida State’s faculty in 2002. She was named associate director of the L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic in 2008 and, in 2010, was named director of clinical education for the School of Communication Science and Disorders.
Scott received the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s ACE Award in 2013. She was honored by FSU in 2012 with the University Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award and by the College of Communication and Information with the School of Communication Science and Disorders Distinguished Faculty Award in 2011. In addition, she was named FSU’s Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year in 2007 and received an Undergraduate Teaching Award that same year.
Prior to FSU, Scott held faculty positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Wichita State University, as well as speech-language pathologist positions in public schools in Nebraska.
A three-time alumna of the University of Nebraska, Scott earned a Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology in 1987, a Master of Science in speech-language pathology in 1988 and a doctorate in speech-language pathology in 1997.
OTHER HONOREES
Other outstanding FSU faculty members were recognized in other categories during the Faculty Awards Dinner.
ROBERT O. LAWTON DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AWARD: This award is the highest faculty honor at Florida State. The 2016-2017 recipient is Joe Schlenoff, the Leo Mandelkern Professor of Polymer Science in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. To learn more, click here.
DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH PROFESSOR AWARD: A select panel of current Distinguished Research Professors vets the nominations, submitted by faculty peers, for presentation to the university president. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash award of $10,000, along with a framed certificate. The award was presented to Betsy Jane Becker (Educational Psychology and Learning Systems and Jorge Piekarewicz (Physics).
DEVELOPING SCHOLAR AWARD: Recognizes mid-career associate professors who have been singled out by their peers. Each receives $10,000 to be used in their research program, following specific guidelines, along with a framed certificate. The award was presented toWalter Boot (Psychology), Eric Coleman (Political Science), James Justus (Philosophy), Scott Stagg (Chemistry and Biochemistry) and Changchun Zeng (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering).
GRADUATE FACULTY MENTOR AWARD: Recognizes faculty mentors whose dedication to graduate students and mentoring have made a significant contribution to the quality of life and professional development of graduate students. The honor comes with $3,000. The award was presented to Nicholas Cogan (Mathematics), David Gilbert (Biological Science), Michael Leeser (Modern Languages and Linguistics), Lenore McWey (Family and Child Sciences) and Daniel Mears (Criminology and Criminal Justice).
HONORS THESIS MENTOR AWARD: Recognizes faculty members whose direction and advisement of honors thesis research or creative activity has significantly contributed to the enhancement and quality of education of undergraduate students. Faculty members are nominated by students in the Honors in the Major program for this award. It comes with a $2,000 stipend. The award was presented toSara Hart (Psychology).
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH MENTOR AWARD: The Undergraduate Research Mentor Award recognizes faculty commitment to undergraduate research. Recipients, nominated by students, demonstrate a substantive and long-term involvement in undergraduate research. One award is reserved for faculty participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Winners receive a $2,000 stipend funded by the FSU Student Foundation. The award was presented to Stephen McDowell (Communication and Information).
UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING AWARD: Recognizes employees who have dedicated their time to ensuring that students receive the best possible advice related to courses and career choices. Recipients, who were nominated by the students who benefitted from their services, receive $2,000. The award was presented toEmily Šaras (Office of National Fellowships).
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AWARD: Recognizes faculty members for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Recipients must be outstanding in the many aspects of teaching that contribute to successful teaching and learning. This is a student-oriented award with nominations submitted by students and alumni. Each recipient also receives a $2,000 award. The award was presented to Bruce Billings (Accounting), Nicholas Bonesteel (Physics), Joseph Calhoun (Economics), George Garner (Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Information Systems), Ilana Goldman (Dance), Munir Humayun (Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences), James Justus (Philosophy), Laura Keller (Biological Science), Nathaniel Line (Dedman School of Hospitality Administration), Mallory Lucier-Greer (Family and Child Sciences), Martin Mende (Marketing), John Myers (Teacher Education), Takemichi Okui (Physics), Jennifer Proffitt (Communication), John Reynolds (Sociology), John Taylor (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering) and Geoffrey Thomas (Anthropology).
GRADUATE TEACHING AWARD: Recognizes faculty for excellence in graduate teaching. Recipients must make outstanding contributions to successful teaching and learning. This is a student-oriented award with nominations submitted by students and alumni. Each recipient also receives a $2,000 award. The award was presented to Anne Coldiron (English), Susan Hellstrom (Arts and Sciences), Christine Koontz (Information), Michael Nair-Collins (Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine), Marlo Ransdell (Interior Architecture and Design), Timothy Stover (Classics), Brian Stults (Criminology and Criminal Justice) and Mary Ziegler (Law).