Five Marquette faculty members were recognized with the university’s highest teaching honor and one faculty member received the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 66th Annual Père Marquette Dinner, Thursday, May 1, in the AMU Monaghan Ballrooms.
In recognition of their demonstrated ability to inspire students to grow in knowledge and scholarship for the glory of God and the good of others, the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award winners are:
- Dr. Dinorah Cortés-Vélez, professor of Spanish in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
- Dr. Alexander Milovic, associate professor of practice of marketing in the College of Business Administration
- Dr. Lisa Petrella, associate professor of biological sciences in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
- Dr. Elizaveta Strakhov, associate professor of English in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
A new Part-time Faculty Teaching Excellence Award has been established that honors one part-time faculty member at Marquette who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to student growth, development and welfare through effective teaching and student learning. The winner of the 2025 Part-time Faculty Teaching Excellence Award is Prof. Marc Whitney, adjunct instructor of strategic communication in the Diederich College of Communication.
Marquette’s Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award was established to recognize one faculty member and one staff member who each demonstrate exemplary leadership and have shown an ability to put the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion into practical action. The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award faculty winner is Prof. Stacy Ko, clinical associate professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Teaching Excellence Awards
Dr. Dinorah Cortés-Vélez, professor of Spanish in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Dinorah Cortés-Vélez has occupied important student-facing roles during her nearly 20 years at Marquette, including director of graduate studies and, more recently, co-director of the Interdisciplinary Latin American/Latinx major/minor. She has developed 15 intermediate- and upper-level Spanish courses. In the past six years alone, she has written five internal grant proposals to fund the development of several of these courses.
“Although her c.v. certainly testifies to the time and energy she devotes to thinking about teaching and sharing her revelations with others, it does not convey what makes Dr. Cortés-Vélez an exceptionally gifted Marquette University educator,” said Dr. Sarah Gendron, professor of French and chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. “As her references all suggest, it is her profound and unwavering commitment to Ignatian principles both in theory and in practice.”
“Heartful teaching,” which she describes as the core of her signature pedagogy, means that students must feel, first and foremost, that they matter and that their contributions in the classroom are valued. “Heartful teaching” acknowledges that lasting learning depends upon classroom environments being structured as learning communities, places where students are safe to engage in hands-on, trial and-error learning processes.
Dr. Cortés-Vélez takes inspiration from Saint Ignatius’ quote, “Love is shown in deeds,” because, in her experience, transformational teaching is an act of love. She states that becoming an Ignatian educator has been one of the greatest adventures of her life.
Dr. Alex Milovic, associate professor of practice of marketing in the College of Business Administration
Dr. Alex Milovic has taught at all levels and in all modalities — including undergraduate, traditional MBA and executive MBA, fully online courses, service-learning courses, international trip experiences and more — always bringing the name passion and willingness to innovate and engage with his students.
“Dr. Milovic has a unique and highly effective combination of genuine care for his students (cura personalis), an attitude that there is always more to be done (magis), passion for teaching and pedagogy, and a great sense of humor,” said Dr. Brian Spaid, chair and associate professor of marketing. “These same qualities make him an excellent colleague.”
Milovic’s impact has been recognized on many occasions, including the College of Business Administration Brennan Master Teacher Award — the college’s highest teaching honor. He’s additionally been named a Marquette Faculty All-Star and a Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow. A former student noted his ability to inspire students to do better not just in class, but in life by “setting high standards and motivating students to step outside their comfort zones.”
“I am honored to receive this award,” Milovic said. “I enjoy working with talented students to build skills that will help them become ethical leaders of the future. I am also grateful for the excellent faculty and staff at Marquette, who help make Marquette an amazing place to work!”
Dr. Lisa Petrella, associate professor of biological sciences in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Lisa Petrella’s course portfolio varies widely in level and topic, ranging from 200-student introductory biology cohorts to upper division laboratory courses in experimental genetics. She consistently brings the same commitment to educating, challenging and supporting her students. Before receiving tenure, she had seven new preps — more than twice the average of a typical person in her role. She’s served as a mentor to many students, both graduate and undergraduate.
“Teaching does not just occur within the confines of a classroom,” explained Dr. Michelle Mynlieff, professor and chair of biological sciences. “Particularly in the sciences, we provide high impact practices such as undergraduate research experiences and mentoring of Ph.D. students in our laboratories. Lisa has graduated three Ph.D. students, two M.S. students and currently has three Ph.D. candidates working in her laboratory. Her former Ph.D. students are all employed in industry and the master’s students are working on their Ph.D.’s at other universities.”
Petrella is also commended for her skills in course development — notably displayed in her work on an 11-week discussion series on “genetics, race, and society” — and her efforts to foster inclusivity within the program. Her teaching philosophy is centered on setting achievable goals and connecting classroom content to real world issues.
“I’m surrounded by teacher/scholars who inspire me to be a better teacher each semester, therefore, I’m honored to be recognized by my fellow faculty,” Petrella said.
Dr. Elizaveta Strakhov, associate professor of English in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Elizaveta Strakhov is commended for her tremendous impact on the medieval studies program, displaying her specialty in medieval literature through engaging, popular — and importantly, fun — courses. In the words of Dr. Gerry Canavan, professor and chair of English, “She helps our students learn to love reading again.”
“From being one of the first professors a student takes in college in a class like HOPR 1955H, to upper-division courses that push students out of their comfort zones and reveal the best of who they can be, to advising major advanced research projects for talented juniors and seniors, to being an advocate through graduation and beyond, we see Dr. Strakhov making a tremendous difference for students at every stage of their academic careers,” Canavan said.
Strakhov looks to provide a more holistic view of the Middle Ages than is often presented in popular culture, helping students understand the connections between that time and our own. Multiple of her students in English and history have gone on to research careers in medieval studies at top-ranked programs.
“It is a tremendous honor to be rewarded for something that means so much to me. To me, teaching and learning are the foundational structures for living one’s life fully, the breath that animates the world, and I learn something new every day that I teach my students.”
Prof. Marc Whitney, adjunct instructor of strategic communication in the Diederich College of Communication
Prof. Marc Whitney considers his courses to be successful if students walk away with a particular mindset: “Lean into your strengths and look to address the areas which challenge you most.” He recognizes not all students enter the classroom comfortable with writing and communication. He helps them understand honing these skills — even if challenging at first — is beneficial for success in any career field.
Whitney additionally values providing opportunities for his students and the importance of learning with and from your peers. Students consistently compliment his caring nature and genuine investment in their success. As one former student noted, “The real takeaway from Prof. Whitney wasn’t just the class material — it was the way he made me feel. He believed in me.”
“We have all heard it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey,” Whitney said. “That’s what this award is all about for me. The time spent with students over the past 15 years is a journey I have treasured, and the Part-Time Faculty Teaching Excellence Award is a tribute to the people who supported and encouraged me to want to be a better teacher each time I step onto campus. And I can’t wait to meet the next group of students in my classroom this fall!”
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award
Prof. Stacy Ko, clinical associate professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
As director of the bilingual English/Spanish specialization, Prof. Stacy Ko has developed a curriculum addressing speech and language assessment and intervention of bilingual populations. In addition to these courses, she supervises bilingual student clinicians providing speech and language assessment and intervention to bilingual English/Spanish speakers. The BIES specialization is one of only a handful of such programs and attracts students, many who identify as a minority, from across the country.
“A different color of skin, different linguistic and cultural background, and far away from home, these students are often at risk of feeling excluded,” said Dr. Emily Petterson, chair and clinical assistant professor of speech pathology and audiology. “Stacy creates a welcoming and safe ‘home away from home’ for these students.”
Ko rallies current BIES students to send personalized notes of welcome and encouragement to newly admitted students, coordinates group dinners and potlucks to facilitate connection outside the classroom and has developed a network of Marquette BIES alumna who serve as clinical supervisors, mentors and guest lecturers for current students. These relationship-building efforts help counter expectations and biases and ultimately build trust.
“The most rewarding part of my job is the time I spend mentoring my students,” Ko said. “To receive the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Award is an acknowledgment of the importance of the work we are doing in the training of bilingual clinicians to better meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with communication disorders. I am grateful for the commitment my students show to advancing the profession and thankful to be a part of their journey. I am honored to be this year’s award recipient.”
Also recognized at the Père Marquette Dinner were:
Marquette Core Curriculum Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Jenna Green, teaching assistant professor of English in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jenna Green was praised by her nominators for her ability to weave the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm, community-facing work and approaches to important ethical and social challenges into the classroom. These efforts are expanded through her work as the assistant director of Foundations Instruction and through her mentorship of other ENGL 1001 instructors.
Green contributes to the professional development program within the Department of English, is a regular participant in and facilitator of workshops organized through the Center for Teaching and Learning and is a valuable member of the Participating Faculty Committee. She focuses on developing critical thinking and communication across disciplines and departments through her courses in first-year English, scriptwriting, the Educational Opportunity Program, the Emerging Scholars Program and the Honors Program.
I’m honored and appreciative to receive the MCC Teaching Excellence Award,” Green said. “The recognition inspires me to keep connecting with colleagues and the campus community to continue to help foster innovative, transformative teaching practices that support our students and further Marquette’s mission.”
Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award
Faculty from the Department of Political Science and the Diederich College of Communication received the 2025 Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award.
- Dr. Jessica Rich, associate professor of political science and director of the interdisciplinary international affairs major in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
- Dinesh Sabu, assistant professor of digital media and performing arts in the Diederich College of Communication
- Dr. A.Jay Wagner, associate professor of journalism and media studies in the Diederich College of Communication
The award grants $20,000 toward their project, “Marquette Democracy Project,” which will adapt the already successful Marquette Democracy Project into a regularly offered cross-college set of courses in the undergraduate curriculum. The adapted Democracy Project will invite social justice advocates from around the world to campus and integrate these visits into coordinated courses taught by professors in political science, journalism and digital media.
The project intends for students in these courses to produce and document the visits, allowing them to build knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Incorporating these research-informed, high-impact learning practices into coursework will also help advance the university’s Student Success Initiative and support the current campus initiative to build partnerships with the community and bridge globally renowned activists with Milwaukee-area activists and nonprofits. Finally, the project will support the professional development of faculty by building “communities of practice” among professors from different disciplines with a shared interest in activism and social justice.
Committee on Teaching members praised the potential impact of the proposal for its integration of coursework and public lectures and that it builds on a successful pilot, increasing the likelihood of meaningful project implementation. Committee members also noted the connection of the project to Marquette’s Jesuit ideals and strategic plan.
“I am excited to see the outcomes of the adapted Marquette Democracy Project, which will bring theories about the causes and consequences of activism to life by engaging students in the real-life subjects of these theories — today’s activists fighting for social justice and human rights,” said Acting Provost Sarah Feldner. “Faculty will build interdisciplinary pedagogical relationships, and students will build transferable skills while they learn more from people who dedicate their lives to making change, preparing students to ‘Be The Difference’ now and in their future lives.”
