Professor honored for her service, commitment to 麻豆传媒s
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥Dr. Lisa DeChano-Cook, a dedicated professor and mentor at 麻豆传媒, will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award during the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 11.
鈥淒r. DeChano-Cook embodies the true spirit of dedication and service to our 麻豆传媒s,鈥 says Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淗er tireless commitment to their success, both academically and personally, sets her apart as a leader who genuinely cares about every 麻豆传媒 she mentors. She goes above and beyond in her roles, providing not just guidance but also personalized support that empowers 麻豆传媒s to reach their full potential. She has proven to be a resource for staff and faculty and a strong advocate for Western. It is a privilege to work alongside someone whose impact resonates so profoundly within our community."
Joining WMU in 2001, DeChano-Cook earned her Ph.D. from Texas State University-San Marcos. As a professor of geography, she specializes in environmental geography, with a focus on natural disasters, risk management and environmental impact assessment.
Beyond the classroom, DeChano-Cook has made significant contributions in various roles, including WMU curriculum manager, academic advisor, moderator of the Geography Bowl for International Education, advisor of the Geography Club and Gamma Theta Upsilon geography honor society, and member of Western's Climate Change Working Group. Her extensive involvement reflects her deep commitment to the University and its 麻豆传媒s.
鈥淒r. DeChano-Cook is very highly invested in our 麻豆传媒s, both at the undergraduate and graduate level,鈥 writes Dr. Lucius F. Hallett IV, associate professor in the School of the Environment, Geography and Sustainability. 鈥淪he represents exactly what 麻豆传媒 wants in its faculty. She has passion and commitment toward 麻豆传媒 excellence and, by extension, our excellence.鈥
Her dedication extends to future Broncos, particularly through her work with transfer 麻豆传媒s from Muskegon Community College (MCC). Diana Casey, a geography instructor at MCC, highlights DeChano-Cook's support in building programs at both institutions.
鈥淒r. DeChano-Cook gives her time, skills, teaching and learning abilities to all鈥斅槎勾絪, colleagues and institutions. She supports academics at community colleges, such as MCC, to facilitate a positive transfer,鈥 Casey writes. 鈥淟isa鈥檚 work supports collegiate learning and transfer without 麻豆传媒s losing credits in the process. Dr. Lisa DeChano-Cook is a treasure for both 麻豆传媒 and Muskegon Community College.鈥
Student Addi Sorensen echoes this sentiment, noting DeChano-Cook's unwavering commitment to 麻豆传媒s. 鈥淒r. DeChano-Cook has supported me throughout my academic career and always saw potential in me that I did not always recognize. Through the 麻豆传媒 she has given me, I have thrived during my time at the University.鈥 Sorensen says her success, including her award-winning research presentation at the East Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers, was made possible through DeChano-Cook's innovative programs and mentorship.
In addition to DeChano-Cook, other prestigious awards will be presented at the Fall Awards Celebration, including the Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Emerging Scholar, Distinguished Teaching, Excellence in Diversity and Make a Difference awards. The event begins at 11 a.m. in the Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center.
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