MCC Daily Tribune

Day 5 of our gratitude series: Kudos to STEM Faculty

Day 5 of TCC gratitude continues kudos with from students to faculty and staff. Today’s recognized academic departments is STEM: students, faculty and staff appreciate you.

Kudos from Students to STEM Faculty:

Aimee Calhoun (Mathematics):

Prof Calhoun goes out of her way to help us learn the math lessons and she makes them fun with her jokes! This is the first time I've really enjoyed a math class and want to learn more!

Amanda Colosimo (Chemistry and Geosciences):

I have professor Colosimo for online geology, and this has been the best online class I’ve taken at MCC. Normally, they stress me out and I feel lost, but she is so clear on instruction and expectations. I know exactly what I need to do and when it’s due. She wants you to be successful and she cares about how you are doing. Her Brightspace is well organized and easy to follow. And she was always on top of grading every week!

Azwana Sadique (Chemistry and Geosciences):

Professor Sadique went above and beyond the entire semester to ensure her students learned the material, gave many opportunities for help including flexibility with assignments, and asked for feedback to try to improve. Her teaching methods were clear, effective and made learning easy for anyone who can pay attention and listen. You can tell she genuinely cares about her students' success and I appreciate all of her hard work throughout the semester. I am thankful I was able to have her as a professor!

Bobby Wright & Matthew Williams (Mathematics):

These three teachers are simply amazing! They pour into their students and go the extra mile to make sure that I succeeded. Best Part - Their door was always open. Thank you so much for making sure I succeeded.

Cindy Smith (Math Tutoring Center, Downtown Campus):

Cindy Smith is my hero!!!! I am a 47 year old adult student. Math has always been my struggle. I haven't done Algebra in over 30 years. I found myself struggling the past two semesters so I sought help from the tutoring lab. That's when I met Cindy. She is absolutely amazing!!! Not only is she a phenomenal math tutor, she is an amazing friend and advocate for students. I have seen Cindy go above and beyond for her students in ways that blow my mind! When I finally graduate I will owe my degree to Cindy Smith!! There is no way that I would have gotten through my last 2 semesters without her. I can never begin to thank her enough for everything that she has done for me!!

Elizabeth Walker (Mathematics):

I would like to thank, Dr. Walker in Math 096. She is an awesome professor she was always supportive in all that we did in class. I did not like to miss class, because I didn't want to miss any information. The class went by so fast, but I am happy that I was able to complete it. Thank you again for the support in class and the I wish you the best for many years to come.

Erin Strobl (Biology & TCC Downtown Faculty Lead)

I must recognize Professor Strobl for her humanitarianism. She is the most caring and compassionate professor. Professor Strobl provides a great deal of knowledge and engages her students in fascinating assignments that keep us interested. She is very professional and diligent. Yet, she expresses a sincere importance of the welfare of her students. She posted an announcement this semester which included the statements, "If you are having a bad week, your mental health is important to me. Take a few extra days if you need it, no penalty." I have never had a Professor who made a compassionate statement like this. It made a huge impact on me to have a moment of human connection with my Professor while I was experiencing the pressures of deadlines in all of my classes.

Gabe Armatas (Chemistry and Geosciences), completed SYFS):

Dr. Armatas is dedicated to helping his students succeed! He is very patient and doesn’t get upset when he has to reexplain concepts. Best professor out there!!

Tracy Graney (Biology, TCC Book Group Facilitator: Grading for Growth)

Dr. Graney is a very supportive and thoughtful person. She treats her students as if they where her own kids and care for them.

James Cala (Mathematics):

Professor Cala is an excellent teacher who makes learning calculus fun and easy. He's quick with a joke, yet doesn't let fun get in the way of serious learning. He captures your attention in a way that keeps you invested in the lecture, while still keeping the lecture light and fun. He's a great professor with a great personality and a lot of experience!

Jason Anderson (Chemistry and Geosciences):

Professor Anderson always finds a way to keep class interesting, whether its making small jokes about the subject we are learning or telling us interesting facts about Organic Chemistry. He is a teacher anyone can approach and he will do his absolute best to help you.

Julie Babulski (Biology):

As this semester was my first one back to college in 7 years, Professor Babulski was the best I could've hoped for. Bio 144 isn't an easy class, but she genuinely wants you to succeed, and she never fails to make class a fun, enjoyable experience! She encourages her students and was very insightful/helpful whenever I needed advice or understanding on things. I enjoyed her class so much I decided to take Bio 145 with her in the fall!! Having had her as a professor, I feel it has truly given me the most positive experience and leaves me feeling hopeful for a bright future ahead! I will recommend Professor Babulski to anyone I know!!!

Laurie Roco (Biology):

This professor teaches in a way that I can actually understand and retain the material. I have struggled to understand the A&P course material and have taken it 3 times prior to taking it with Dr. Rocco. I am now excelling and on track to pass this course with a B and the best part is I actually understand what I'm learning! This professor is a 10/10 and I would recommend her to any other nursing pathway student.

Maria Savka (Biology):

Professor Savka is a wonderful professor that keeps the material we are covering engaging and interesting. she also is wonderful with getting grades in on time and helping out her students. overall she is a wonderful person and should be commended

Mary Arnold (Biology):

She is an amazing professor very passionate about biology. Professor Arnold is very understanding that life happens but as long as we put our best foot forward that’s all that counts. I am grateful I was able to take her class my love for science grew more!

Michael Wagner (Mathematics):

Excellent professor, explains math very well and is clear about expectations for the class. Very easy to understand if you work on material outside of class and attend classes.

Micheal Rhoda (Mathematics):

Professor Rhoda is the definition of what a good instructor should be. I have taken 2 of his classes and I will be in his class next semester for my final year in math. Math has always been a difficult subject for me and nothing ever clicked until professor Rhoda. He makes math easy and even fun. Always available in the TAAC and reachable by email, he is ready to help whenever needed. I can’t thank him enough for turning a subject that I hated into something tolerable. He is kind, caring, and makes learning so easy. Once again, a huge thank you for all he has done for me and countless other students as well. Well done Professor Rhoda!

Paul Emerick (Biology):

Professor E is fantastic. Not only is he highly skilled at teaching, but he is great at treating students with respect. He holds us to high standards while being fair, easily accessible, and understanding that students are whole human beings with full lives beyond his classroom. To me, these qualities go a long way in helping students to truly reach their academic and professional goals.

Pasquale Dilucia (Engineering Technologies, Completed FYFS):

Professor Dilucia is always great to be around, he is very fair with grading, he always has entertaining stories and teaches very well. I have been very lucky and glad to have him for Statics and Strength of Materials

Thomas Heidt (Mathematics) Pasquale Dilucia (Engineering Technologies):

Both of these professor are still actively engaged in providing a quality education in their respective fields. In a school where I find many professors exhausted and trying to just push students along, these professors have taken it upon themselves to provide a very high level of understanding.

Mary Cameron (Mathematics):

She is an amazing professor, I 100% will be taking classes with her in the future.
Every time I send emails, she responds right away. Flexible and helps her students a lot.
She truly is a model and helped me love math again. Truly, she leaves a mark on people lives in such many beautiful ways.

Renee Ceretto (ESOL & TRS):

Mrs. Ceretto literally broke my stigma towards math, and that alone is HUGE for me because I've hated math for as long as I can remember. Actually, I simply deemed myself inadequate at it and always held the belief that it was something I'd never fully grasp. Renee Ceretto changed ALL of that for me. One of the biggest lessons she gave was that I'm not bad at math, I've simply had a bad experience with it, prompting a negative attitude towards it, and this was in fact true, for me at least. In school growing up, math was always hard, and I just came to the conclusion that it was simply because I was no good at it. Mrs. Ceretto emphasized how the method of instruction greatly influences your success in learning, and that by the end of the course, our attitudes towards math would change and boy did she! I mean I actually felt accomplished after every class; not only did I feel well equipped to do my work, I felt truly capable, as if I was actually good in math. This attitude has carried with me into my math course for this semester and has made SUCH the impact, I mean I haven't received anything below an 85% on a single assignment yet. My success this semester wouldn't have been possible without my experience in her class. I have the upmost gratitude and respect for Mrs. Ceretto, and hopes she has a continues to have a happy and fulfilling career here at MCC or wherever she is most valued!

Robert Parada (Engineering Technologies, Completed FYFS):

He is very skilled and talented in the field. And comes to class prepared and attentive to all students. He shows his commitment and support towards his students. And offers lots of extra help inside and outside the classroom times so students can be their best self and be their best selves. He gives the students capabilities and tools to grow and often presents opportunities in the workplace.

Samantha Nally (Mathematics):

Unwavering dedication towards fostering a supportive learning environment. Professor Nally has inspired countless students to embrace the beauty and significance of mathematics in their lives. With tireless efforts in guiding and mentoring students she has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the MCC campus and her students.

Tori Matthews (Biology):

Professor Matthews is one of those teachers that you can tell cares to help you understand the material. He is always very welcoming and accepting of questions. He makes an effort to be personable and i really loved being in his class.

Kudos from Faculty & Staff to Faculty and & Staff:

Amanda Colosimo (Chemistry and Geosciences) & Co-facilitator, SYFS):

Thank you so much for your kindness throughout my onboarding process. There are lots of things to learn for sure. I truly appreciate your guidance, wisdom, and sense of humor. You have a great organizational and institutional knowledge which helped me a lot. I really enjoyed co-facilitated SYFS (Second Year Faculty Series) with you. I am truly inspired by your passion for our students, new faculty and MCC community. I am looking forward to working with you and learning from you.

Greg Savich (Engineering Technology):

Greg took full advantage of his extra bandwidth this year to play a central role in mentoring optics students. His leadership was instrumental in multiple well-received outreach events - including Eclipse Week at RMSC - and in the winning of two top awards for student posters at MCC Scholars' Day.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/24/2024