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Chico State

CSU, Chico Recognizes Teacher-Scholar Excellence With Professional Achievement Honors

Diana Dwyer, from the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, has been recognized by CSU, Chico as one of its recipients for the annual Professional Achievement Honors.
Photos by Jason Halley / University Photographer

Diana Dwyer, from the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, has been recognized by CSU, Chico as one of its recipients for the annual Professional Achievement Honors.

In recognition of their outstanding efforts exemplifying the teacher-scholar model over the last three years, four California State University, Chico faculty members will receive the University’s Professional Achievement Honors.

“These outstanding professors are an inspiration to students and colleagues alike,” said CSU, Chico President Gayle E. Hutchinson. “They embody the teacher-scholar model and it is my great pleasure to recognize them and their work.”

These teacher-scholars will be recognized by the University at an event on March 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. INSPIRED ’18: From Chico to the World, a Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity will take place on the fourth floor of the Meriam Library.

The University’s Faculty Recognition and Support Committee selected this year’s recipients, who represent a wide range of disciplines on campus.

 

Diana Dwyre, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice

Diana Dwyre, from the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, is one of four CSU, Chico faculty to receive this year's Professional Achievement Honors.
Diana Dwyre, from the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice

If a United States politician is spending money on a campaign, it’s a safe bet that Diana Dwyre has studied it. With over two decades exploring the field of campaign finances, this accomplished scholar has recently authored or co-authored numerous articles on the topic over the last three years, as well as served on eight different panels and made multiple presentations on the subject. Dwyre currently serves on a task force that is collecting 2016-18 data and analyzing campaign finance activities of U.S. political parties as part of a $50,000 grant from the Hewlett Foundation and the Bipartisan Policy Center. She was also a member of a separate task force studying campaign finances out of Stanford University during summer 2015 and winter 2016.

 

Shelley Hart, from the Department of Child Development, one of four CSU, Chico faculty to receive this year's Professional Achievement Honors.
Shelley Hart, from the Department of Child Development

Shelley Hart, Department of Child Development

Shelley Hart has worked tirelessly to preserve the mental and physical well-being of children. Since arriving at CSU, Chico in 2014, Hart has proven to be a tremendous asset. A prolific publisher, Hart has authored seven peer-reviewed articles, one book, and has produced content for nine publications in professional practitioner newsletters. Additionally, she has presented at 16 different workshops or symposiums, including papers or posters, at local, state and national conferences. She continues to push to augment her foundational knowledge and is a highly sought-after expert on campus, serving as an outside thesis committee member in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, an invited speaker at multiple campus events and a leader in local grassroots and professional groups.

 

 

 

Melissa Mache, from the Department of Kinesiology, is one of four CSU, Chico faculty to receive this year's Professional Achievement Honors.
Melissa Mache, from the Department of Kinesiology

Melissa Mache, Department of Kinesiology

A passionate supporter of her students, Melissa Mache’s student-centered teaching philosophy is exemplified by her accessibility and responsiveness. She stimulates her students with her dynamic teaching style, and as a mentor for both undergraduate and graduate students, she works to communicate scientific, methods, discoveries, theories and concepts. Mache has also served as the committee chair for five theses. Additionally, Mache is dedicated to advancing her field, with four refereed paper publications, as well as four national and four international presentations. Mache served as President of the Western Society for Physical Education of College Women in 2016, after serving on the WSPESW’s executive board in 2014. And in 2014-15, Mache secured nearly $70,000 in internal funding for the purchase of cutting-edge lab equipment to enhance the learning and application of biomechanical analysis.

 

 

Richard Rosecrance, from the Department of Agriculture, is one of four Chico State faculty to receive this year's Professional Achievement Honors.
Richard Rosecrance, from the Department of Agriculture

Richard Rosecrance, Department of Agriculture

As a part of CSU, Chico’s already outstanding agriculture program, Richard Rosecrance stands out. He is a double U.S. Fulbright Scholar in both Turkey and South Africa, and taught a Food Forever course with the University Studies Abroad Consortium in San Ramon, Costa Rica in 2015. Rosecrance is known nationally for his contributions as a researcher and specialist in orchard crops and is sought for his unique expertise as a Certified Crop Advisor. In 2015, he authored a piece in Scientia Horticulturae on olive regulated deficit irrigation. He’s also received a pair of grants from the Agricultural Research Institute: A $60,000 statewide grant in 2014 to evaluate satellite data to improve crop ET (evapotranspiration), and an additional $60,000 grant from the California Olive Committee on mechanical hedging.