2006 Award Winners
| Dr. Patricia Komuniecki |
 Dr. Patricia Komuniecki, professor and chair of biological sciences. She has been advising,
teaching and conducting research with undergraduates since her appointment in 1985.
She also has been the director of the
UT-University of Salford (England) Exchange Program since 1991.“ Dr. Komuniecki has encouraged me to improve myself both academically and personally. She challenges her students to aspire to their maximum potential and keeps close communication with them throughout their time at The University of Toledo,” wrote one nominator. “She is responsive, caring and supportive when her students are in need.” Another wrote, “Coming from high school, I was not heavily recruited academically, but Dr. Komuniecki never doubted my dreams or the abilities to achieve them. Equally important, Dr. Komuniecki has always been realistic.” “ I love working with undergraduate students and try to take a personal interest in biology majors from recruitment to graduation and beyond,” Komuniecki said. “I believe my role as an adviser is to help students navigate their way during their undergraduate years through the maze of course selection, degree audit, co-curricular activities and make sure that they are on track for graduation.” |
| Deborah J. Sobczak |
 Deborah
J. Sobczak, coordinator of advising and student affairs in the College of Pharmacy.
She joined the University in 1995 and is a
member of the National Academic Advising Association and a past president of UT’s
Intercollegiate Committee on Advising.“ Deb successfully coordinates the college preprofessional advising program, serving more than 600 preprofessional students. Our students flock to Deb whenever they need advice,” wrote one nominator. “As a tribute to Deb’s standing among students, she was honored in 2002 with the Kappa Psi Faculty of the Year Award for ‘outstanding commitment, involvement and advancement of the students in the College of Pharmacy.’ This was the first time this award has been presented to an individual who is not a faculty member.” “ I think all academic advisers need to be a combination of student handbook, university catalog, schedule book of courses, college program of study checklist and ‘chicken soup’ book,” Sobczak said. “The sheer number of preprofessional students always presents me with a challenge to make sure each one feels unique, special and part of the pharmacy ‘family.’ I work diligently to learn students’ names and make an effort to attend student events and meetings.” |