Celebrating Chatham's Faculty Awards for Spring 2021
Each year at Closing Convocation, we recognize faculty who have gone above and beyond for the betterment of Chatham students and the Chatham community at large. Despite the postponement of a more traditional Closing Convocation, congratulations are still in order for the 2021 recipients. Join us in congratulating Nicole Brown, MS, PA-C, the recipient of the 2020-2021 academic year Buhl Professorship, and Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, the recipient of the 2020-2021 academic year Jane Burger Advising Award.
Physician Assistant Studies
Assistant Professor, Skills Coordinator
Recipient of the 2021 Buhl Professorship
The Buhl Professorship is awarded annually to the member of the faculty who has most distinguished oneself in teaching, creative effort, or otherwise...to recognize and encourage accomplishment of a high order. The award recipient is selected based on the nominations of fellow faculty members who recognize the recipient’s dedication to teaching and scholarship.
“Her teaching and curriculum development are superb, and she has quickly become one of the most valued research colleagues with whom I have ever had the opportunity to collaborate. Her scholarship is having important real-life implications for both educational and clinical settings.”
-Anthony Goreczny, Ph.D., Professor of Health Sciences
Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies and Skills Coordinator, Nicole Brown demonstrates an extraordinary level of devotion to her teaching, scholarship, and leadership across a multitude of avenues, including the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Committee. “She is the primary moving force behind the scholarship of our IPE group…it is not just me who has come to respect her scholarship contributions; it is our entire IPE team,” said Dr. Anthony Goreczy. In addition to recognizing her efforts on the IPE Committee, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, Natalie Schirato, MPAS, PA-C, took note of Nicole’s efforts to prepare course material, student and faculty schedules, and guest speakers in anticipation of her recent maternity leave, recognizing that, “Nicole made sure to communicate with every one of her advisees prior to her leave and also gave each faculty member details about [her advisees] prior to leaving.”
Upon receiving her award, Nicole had the following to say: “I became an educator to play a role in shaping future healthcare providers. Within the clinical skills lab courses, students learn fundamental examination technique and are introduced to real-world practicality of application that will be used throughout each student’s career as a PA. I absolutely love working with the students—seeing the personal and clinical growth from their first day in lab to their last physical examination competency is a genuinely rewarding experience. Through engagement, open dialogue, and feedback, I am able to create an inviting learning environment for students. I feel that I am able to truly impact our students and their future patients through the work that I do, and that is something I’m very proud of.
I’d like to thank my students and colleagues (past and present) who have helped to shape me into the educator, scholar, and person that I am today. Each of you played a direct role in my growth and will continue to do so moving forward; for that, I’m eternally grateful.”
Political Science
Associate Professor
Recipient of the 2021 Jane Burger Advising Award
The Jane Burger Advising Award, established in honor of class of 1966 alumna, Dr. Jane Burger, recognizes a faculty advisor who best exemplifies the sensitivity, mentoring spirit, and commitment to students as expressed by Dr. Burger herself. The award recipient is selected based on the nominations of students who share how a particular faculty member has impacted their experience at Chatham University.
“Dr. Sweet-Cushman has developed nearly universal positive recognition within the student body for being one of the most engaging and empathetic instructors, and one of the most communicative, supportive academic advisors at Chatham University…She has guided me through nearly every important academic step.”
-Ava Roberts, Political Science ‘22
Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman is consistently recognized by students and faculty alike for her efforts across campus. Having just last year received the Buhl Professorship, several of Jennie’s students recommended her for the Jane Burger Advising Award thanks to her outstanding support of her advisees throughout the past year. Adriana Jurado, Political Science ‘21 detailed how Jennie helped her through an extremely difficult semester: “I was in a coma at the beginning of Fall 2020 and she not only informed all of my Pittsburgh friends of my situation but advocated for me when I couldn’t return to school right away…she connected me to resources and literally fought for me when I didn’t have the strength to.” For Mars Touloumes, Political Science ‘21, Dr. Sweet-Cushman’s support has helped her to make significant professional strides: “She helped me to get my first internship with a political campaign. She also helped me to figure out what field I wanted to focus on and what jobs I should apply to while in school.”
In response to receiving this award, Jennie said, “I was fortunate to have the absolute best academic advisor when I was an undergrad, and he is still a confidante and source of strength for me all these years later. So, I'm really committed to being that type of presence in my students' lives, too. I recognize that one of the benefits of a small school is personalized attention and I'm so glad being at Chatham allows me to treat my students like the unique individuals they are. I like to spend time getting to know my advisees, their hopes, their dreams, their fears, their strengths, their weaknesses. This helps me to tailor their experiences at Chatham in a way that sets them up for success after they graduate. It is tremendously gratifying.
This academic year was obviously hard on students, so I tried really hard to help students form strong peer-to-peer bonds and I kept a close eye on them. I think being a mom of four prepared me somewhat for this year because I just wanted to take care of them all the best I could. The Jane Burger Award is extra special to me now because advising was such a big and essential part of my job in this tough academic year.”
Congratulations to both Nicole Brown and Jennie Sweet-Cushman! To celebrate more wonderful members of the Chatham community, check out the 2021 Student Awards recipients.