During a week in September, three professors were surprised by President Slabach with the Engaging Educator Award.

The Engaging Educator Award goes to professors who go above and beyond to engage their students with research and the community, and for delivering the “Smaller. Smarter.” promise to our students.

Rod Erakovich, Ph.D., School of Business

• Erakovich does an outstanding job of connecting our business and organization partners with Texas Wesleyan students. His undergraduate and MBA students recently worked with One Safe Place and the City of Kennedale on team-based projects that taught hands-on critical thinking skills in a real world environment. Erakovich is also a big proponent of online learning and consistently does a great job engaging with his students – whether through online or face-to-face instruction.

Julie McCoy, School of Arts & Letters

• McCoy is very dedicated to seeing her students succeed in the Department of Music. She serves as the student choral director and one of her current opera students was even invited to participate in Viva Opera! last summer, a young artist development program held in Verona, Italy. McCoy is also a three-time Grammy Award nominee. She will be a featured performer on the upcoming CD, Considering Matthew Shepard.

Patsy Robles-Goodwin, Ed.D., School of Education

• Robles-Goodwin goes above and beyond to support her students. She is co-sponsor of the Bilingual Student Organization and travels with her students to the state conferences. This organization is focused on promoting and delivering bilingual and bicultural education. She is also a supervisor for student teaching and is dedicated to helping students review for licensing exams.

Congratulations, professors!