Phippen, Upadhyay named outstanding graduate teaching assistants

Britney Phippen, a Ph.D. student in biological sciences, and Rahul Upadhyay, who is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, are the 2015-16 recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards presented by the Graduate School and the Center for Graduate Life.

Phippen, the award recipient at the doctoral level, was nominated by Tonya Bates and Michelle Pass from the Biological Sciences Department. They noted how much students appreciated Phippen’s passion and zest for biology, as well as her ability to explain things in a way that makes biology accessible for non-science majors.

“I know that the majority of my students will only be exposed to science in my classroom, as most will go on to major in other fields,” explained Phippen. “However, these same students will have to make decisions in their lives that directly relate to biological principles, and they should be educated in their decisions.”

In addition to teaching the Principles of Biology lab and the Genetics lab courses, she updated the Biology 1110 lab manual and developed new lab activities and created innovative assignments.

Upadhyay, the master’s level award winner, taught a number of courses, including Computational Methods for Engineers, Introduction to Finite Element Analysis and Introduction to Solid Mechanics.

“As a TA for courses that are mathematically and computationally intensive, he sees students who struggle and need significant help,” stated Harish Cherukuri, a professor of mechanical engineering who nominated Upadhyay. “Rahul is very good at providing individual class support to students by helping them debug their code and often times staying after class to do so.”

Upadhyay’s teaching philosophy stated that he “respects the intellectual appetite and avoids force feeding, develops intellectual curiosity and avoids spoon-feeding.”

Graduate teaching assistants aid faculty in many ways, including teaching courses, preparing assignments, meeting with students and grading. All GTAs receive training through the Graduate Teaching Initiative. Judith Krauss, faculty associate for the Center for Graduate Life and leader of the Graduate Teaching Initiative, hosted the awards ceremony.

Fourteen nominees vied for the honor. This year’s judges were Scott Fitzgerald (sociology), Eric Heggestad (psychology) and Barry Wilkinson (computer science.

Nominees submitted applications with original classroom materials, undergraduate students’ evaluations, letters of recommendation from faculty supervisors, a teaching philosophy and other evidence of their skill in the craft of teaching and their commitment to improving student learning.

Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said, “We appreciate your contributions to the overall goals of the University. The professoriate looks to you going forward. We have a very diverse student population here not unlike what might be representative of the kind of institution you’d teach at in the future. You have great people to learn from and great opportunity to do it at UNC Charlotte.”

Each award winner received a $500 prize and a plaque.