Career Impact Award

Over the 20+ years that Bill has worked at University of Idaho, he has provided students with a remarkable educational experience that encourages them to realize their potential and find work they are passionate about. He has implemented novel pedagogical practices, for example, the walking oral exam where students walk and talk with him as part of their semester wrap-up to learn to do exactly the sort of behavior that networking often requires. To be clear in articulating what they know and understand, which is part and parcel of the "elevator" talk, we all know it is critical to success.

Early in Jerry’s U of I career, he noted that students in Geosciences were not receiving what he thought was needed mentoring and instruction relative to career choices. In response, he began to set aside a few lectures in each course to be devoted to things such as deciding if graduate school was an appropriate choice, what career opportunities were available and what skills students should focus on in order to be successful in those careers. Student response encouraged Jerry to undertake a more ambitious plan. While he still includes the career-focused lectures in each course, he also set out to introduce curricular elements that could provide what students need.

Mindy, the CNR Director of Recruitment and Stakeholder Engagement, is a remarkable individual who goes above and beyond to support students’ involvement in searching for and gaining hands-on, experiential learning, as well as advising them through obstacles and challenges. Her commitment to helping students find their place in the world of natural resources is evident in her approach to working with students. One of Mindy’s greatest strengths is her ability to connect with students and understand their motivations for pursuing careers in natural resources. She takes the time to talk to each student, delving deeper into their interests and skill sets, and encourages them to gain as much hands-on experience as possible.