The University of Toledo

March Students First Award Winners Announced

In the third month of the year, three Students First Award winners were selected.

March winners were Dr. Carol Bresnahan, vice provost for academic programs; Dr. Constance Shriner, associate dean for faculty development and curriculum evaluations in the College of Medicine; and Barb Snavely, director of student services in the College of Business Administration.

Bresnahan’s nominators noted that she always listens to students and, more importantly, she acts.

“You can count on one thing: If you take a concern to her office, she will address it and she will fight for students’ rights,” wrote one of Bresnahan’s nominators.

When President Lloyd Jacobs interrupted the town hall meeting in the Memorial Field House April 8 to give Bresnahan the award, she was completely surprised. “As a faculty member and as an administrator, I believe I am responsible for helping carry out UT’s primary mission: teaching and learning with our students,” she said.

“I have never regretted putting students first, and so this award is very meaningful to me. In fact, I doubt I will ever receive an award that will mean more to me,” Bresnahan added.

She will begin her new job July 2 as provost and executive vice president at the College of New Jersey.

Shriner works with first- and second-year medical students in a variety of capacities, including curriculum development and on educational research projects. She applies the principles of student centeredness to  her work whether she is teaching students or serving in her administrator’s role.

“This is an excellent program, we have many fine faculty and staff members, and it is nice to see their commitment to education recognized. And it is even nicer to be included,” Shriner said.

Her nominators wrote that Shriner is always open to constructive criticism from students and that she creates a more efficient learning environment for all medical students.

Snavely said, “When I received the Outstanding Adviser Award back in 1995, they quoted me as saying, ‘This is so cool.’ Of course, everyone teased me about that, but I would have to say that’s still my response to receiving the Students First Award.”

She added, “I truly believe in what this award stands for, and I’m glad UT is recognizing faculty and staff who are doing their part.”

Snavely’s nominators described her as a student advocate who provides an exceptional service to UT students. They also said that she puts in extra time, attention and hard work in order to make sure that students graduate on time.

Each winner received a $75 gift card from Barnes and Noble and a $25 gift card from Starbucks. At the end of the academic year, one winner will be chosen to receive a $1,500 prize.