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WIU Interim president Kristi Mindrup (back, left) and Interim Provost Mark Mossman (back, right) stand with the winners of this year's Provost Awards. George Mangalaraj (back, middle), Department of Computer Science, earned the Provost’s Award of Excellence in University and Community Service. Rebekah Buchanan (front left), Department of English, earned the Provost’s Award for Academic Excellence in Teaching. Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio (front, middle) College of Arts and Sciences, earned Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year. Win Phippen (front, right), Department of Agriculture, earned the Provost’s Award of Excellence in Scholarly and Professional Activities.
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Amy Ford, Accounting, Finance, Economics and Decision Sciences was the recipient of the Provost's Award for Academic Excellence in Enhancing Learning with Technology.
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Haley Wickoff, Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel and Social Work, earned the Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Multicultural Teaching,
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WIU Announces Provost's Awards for Academic Excellence Winners

November 12, 2024

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Five Western Illinois University faculty members and one academic advisor have been named 2024 Provost's Award of Excellence Winners. The faculty were recognized at a reception on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the University Union Lamoine Room.

The Provost Awards Committee evaluated the excellence of the candidates in each of the determined areas and awards were presented Nov. 6 by WIU Interim Provost and Academic Vice President Mark Mossman.

This year's award winners are:

Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year: Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio, College of Arts and Sciences
Sandrik-Rubio started her WIU career as a graduate assistant with the Biology department before moving into her role as advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences. She works with numerous students in Biological Science majors, Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Geographic Information Science (GIS), Geology, Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics.

In the evaluation process, the committee used comments from one of Sandrik-Rubio's students who talked about how the advisor helped her find the drive to work toward a degree.

"Thanks to Jennifer's guidance and support, I was able to focus on my academic and personal goals with complete peace of mind," the student said. "Her dedication to my success was evident in every conversation we had, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have her as my advisor!"


Provost's Award for Academic Excellence in Teaching: Rebekah Buchanan, Department of English

Buchanan serves as the director of English Education at WIU, primarily teaching English Education methods and professional writing courses, in addition to a Harry Potter study abroad course to the United Kingdom.

The committee cited her excellent student evaluations and her approach to teaching for the award.

"Using a collaborative style of teaching, Rebekah involves students whenever possible in structuring her courses; she employs contract grading, where students participate in the determination of their grades, she involves students in setting due dates and deadlines for projects and exams, and she has a no-hassle assignment extension policy where students can easily request additional time to complete projects," the committee said.


Provost's Award for Faculty Excellence in Multicultural Teaching: Haley Wikoff, Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel and Social Work

Wikoff is an assistant professor in Counselor Education, College Student Personnel and in the Social Work Department.

Eric Sheffield, her nominator and interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said multicultural teaching is one of Wikoff's strengths, noting that she has an exemplary focus on serving students and creating a sense of belonging for every student, pointing out her help in establishing the LGBTQ+ Clinic on the Quad Cities campus and appointments as the co-chair of the American School Counselor Association Ethics Committee and as a member of the University Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.

"As the College of Education and Human Services, our focus is on service and that focus comes with a commitment to serving our students, regardless of who they are or from where they come," Sheffield said. "Dr. Wikof's teaching (and other activities) exemplifies this focus on serving students and creating a sense of belonging for each and every one of them."


Provost's Award of Excellence in Scholarly and Professional Activities: Win Phippen, Department of Agriculture

Phippen directs the Alternative Crops Research Program at WIU with an agenda focused on increasing the use of bio-based fuels, developing new and alternative crops for addressing grower needs and supporting efforts to revitalize local economies. He has established WIU as a pioneer in alternative crop research.

The committee noted Phippen's work on a regional, national and international level for this award.

"Dr. Phippen's dedication and commitment to his research work has a meaningful impact on our students, programs, local producers and the larger agricultural industry while increasing the visibility of the School of Agriculture and WIU," the committee said.


Provost's Award of Excellence in University and Community Service: George Mangalaraj, Department of Computer Science

Mangalaraj is a professor of information systems at WIU and is actively involved in curriculum development, working to enhance the experience of the students, improving programs and facilitating engagement with industry partners.

He also works in the community, serving on the University of Illinois Extension Council, overseeing robotics-related activists for kids in the region and working with regional 4-H groups to increase interest in technology-related fields.

"Dr. Managalarj also lends his expertise in technologies and management of technology by serving as Chair on the Council for Instructional Technology — a faculty senate committee that focuses on technology-related issues for the faculty. He also participates on the University Technology Advisory Group lending his expertise to benefit the university," the committee said.


Provost's Award for Excellence in Enhancing Learning with Technology: Amy Ford, Department of Accounting

Ford is a professor of accounting, working to make curricular and pedagogical improvements to the accounting curriculums certification and licensing exams have continued to evolve.

Ford has used a diverse array of activities, including innovative discussion methods, video assignments, peer-to-peer review assignments as well as other online learning tools available at WIU to enhance her teaching methods.

"She firmly believes in this era of online digital education that all students, no matter the format or modality, should receive the same technical accounting instruction to prepare them for their future professions," the committee said. "Accordingly, in the last several years she has taught a wide array of courses, from first principles of accounting for business majors to our most advanced management accounting courses."

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