WMU News

Faculty member wins new teacher award

March 17, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Melissa K. Hancox, Western Michigan University assistant professor of communication, has been selected as the 1998 Outstanding New Teacher by the Central States Communication Association.

Awarded to recipients in their first five years of teaching, the prize recognizes those who distinguish themselves early in their careers as classroom teachers.

"We're very interested in education within the field of communication and we wish to honor those doing an outstanding job in what we consider one of the prime areas of our mission," says Lynn H. Turner, executive director of the organization, which is dedicated to promoting the mutual interests and advancement of the communication field.

A five-person panel of faculty members representing the organization evaluated Hancox based upon a portfolio that contained her teaching philosophy, course syllabi, samples of instructional methods, evaluation data and letters of recommendation from students and colleagues. The selection committee considered 11 nominees and chose Hancox as the one winner.

She will receive the award Friday, April 3, at the group's 66th annual convention in Chicago.

A WMU faculty member since September, Hancox earned her bachelor's degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her master's and doctoral degrees from Ohio University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in organizational communication.

The Central States Communication Association was organized in the late 1930s and is comprised of communication educators and professionals in 13 states, including Michigan. With 1,500 members, it is the largest of the regional communication associations of the National Communication Association.

Media contact: Julie Paavola; julie.paavola@wmich.edu


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