Four students receive achievement award

The Public and Environmental Affairs Outstanding Student Award, as well as the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award were recently awarded by UW-Green Bay's public and environmental affairs program.  The awards recognize the work of public administration and environmental policy and planning students in both the classroom and the community.

"Both awards started out simply as our faculty wanting to recognize students for academic achievements and volunteer work in the community," said Katia Levintova, assistant professor of public and environmental affairs. "We began with just one recipient, but with increased interest and competition, we have since decided to recognize two students for each award."

To be considered for selection, students must be public administration or environmental policy and planning majors or minors. They must submit an essay and resume to department faculty, who choose the recipients based on academics, community involvement and dedication to public service.

Now in its fourth year, the Public and Environmental Affairs Outstanding Student Award was presented to Chad Bianchi and Morgan Gantz. Bianchi, senior economics and public administration major, has interned with New North Inc., a non-profit economic development organization serving Northeast Wisconsin.

"I feel my internship with New North Inc. set me apart from other applicants," Bianchi said. "It's been an excellent experience for all of my future personal endeavors, and it's nice to know I'm making a difference. Receiving an award like this from such a distinguished faculty is truly an honor, and it means a lot to me both personally and professionally."

Two years ago, the department decided it would also recognize students who serve as teaching assistants. Unlike the Outstanding Student Award, which originated with only one winner, the department chose to select two teaching assistants as recipients annually.

"Our department frequently has large general education classes, which often require the help of some of our best students," Levintova said. "Our teaching assistants can often make a large lecture class feel more personal for students."

Candidates for the award must exhibit a passion for teaching, be helpful to students and instructors and improve the classroom learning experience. The top two teaching assistants this year, whom Levintova stresses have excelled in all areas, are Joanna Koehler and Danny Mueller.

"I think it's a great award to receive, and even if I don't pursue a teaching career it's nice to be recognized for my teaching and communication skills," said Koehler, senior business administration major and public administration minor. "Being a teaching assistant has helped me improve these skills, and I'm excited to use them and everything else I've learned at UWGB in the real world."

Mueller,  senior political science and history major, has plans to attend graduate school and eventually pursue a career as a professor of political science. He feels his work as a teaching assistant has prepared him for his future endeavors.

"This is my second semester as a teaching assistant for professor Levintova, and I can't thank her enough for the help and opportunities she's given me," Mueller said. "The opportunity to be a teaching assistant at UWGB is incredible, and I hope any student who gets the chance to be one accepts the offer."

All four recipients will be presented with a scholarship, plaque and certificate in recognition for their hard work and dedication, and will also be recognized at the Celebrating PEA Students gathering this May.

"It's nice to give the students a scholarship, plaque and certificate, but more than anything, this award is an honor for these students to receive," Levintova said. "As a department, our work is solely for the students, and we're happy to see them excel and succeed—and even happier to recognize them for it."

The funds for all four scholarships primarily come from faculty donations, but the department is hopeful that alumni will consider contributing to the cause in the future, Levintova said. Regardless of where funds for the award come from, the department is excited to continue to present the awards in the future.

"This is a great way to show our appreciation of our students' outstanding work, and how proud we are of them," Levintova said. "We have wonderful students who do wonderful things, and we hope this award is only the beginning of outstanding careers."