Pamela Sandstrom, a professor in the Department of Biology, has been named a recipient of the F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award, one of the University of Nevada, Reno’s highest honors for sustained excellence in teaching, according to a May 11 announcement.
The award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in teaching. Sandstrom joined the university in 2007 and has played an important role in developing collaborative learning programs such as the Biology Peer Instruction and Learning Assistant initiatives.
Sandstrom said her approach involves moving away from traditional lectures to more interactive classrooms: “Our talented undergraduates serve as ‘Learning Assistants’ and move throughout the room to guide their peers through challenging problems. This transforms a high-enrollment lecture into a more personal and interactive learning environment.” She also said, “While my style has shifted away from the ‘sage on a stage’ model toward a collaborative approach, I work to ensure none of the 14,000 students I have taught feel like just a number.”
Her efforts include developing courses for pre-allied health and preprofessional students and creating “Molecular Genetics” as an alternative upper-division requirement that addresses both scientific concepts and societal issues. Since 2015, she has chaired the Department of Biology Curriculum Committee leading undergraduate curriculum updates.
Executive Vice President and Provost Jeff Thompson praised Sandstrom’s impact on campus: “Dr. Sandstrom is an example of the true impact faculty have, inside and outside of the classroom,” he said. “She sets a high standard for what it means to be an exceptional faculty member. Pamela is known to combine academic rigor with genuine care for student learning and success.”
Reflecting on her career during an interview included with the announcement, Sandstrom highlighted her passion for building relationships with students: “I love that teaching here has allowed me to build enduring relationships; my students truly become a second family… Serving as a mentor for 18 Westfall Scholars and eight Senior Scholars across three colleges proves that the impact of biology education reaches far beyond a single department.”
Sandstrom’s recognition at this year’s Honor The Best ceremony marks her fourth honor at this event following previous awards including the Paul and Judy Bible Teaching Excellence Award (2004) as well as Nevada Regents’ teaching and advising accolades.