MAC award recognizes faculty dedication to student success

KrishnankuttyRema shares subject knowledge and care to help students succeed.

By Julie Carle

A Bowling Green State University faculty member is a nominee for the 2019-20 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success.

Resmi KrishnankuttyRema, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering at Bowling Green State University, is one of 12 faculty members from MAC universities to be recognized with this inaugural award.

The MAC award celebrates the commitment of MAC universities to provide a holistic student experience and create an environment that supports success in school and life. This first-time award also recognizes the various ways student success is supported within the MAC.

KrishnankuttyRema was nominated because of an outstanding dedication to her students inside and outside of the classroom. She believes that “providing subject knowledge along with compassion and care go a long way in helping students succeed.”

“We are proud that Resmi KrishankuttayRema has been selected to represent BGSU for the inaugural MAC Faculty Award for Student Success,” said Dr. Joe B. Whitehead, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. “Resmi is well-deserving of the award, and the work with students, both in and outside the classroom, perfectly aligns with the University’s commitment to student success.”

The mechatronics engineering technology assistant teaching professor considers knowing her students as the most important aspect of her teaching career.

Amandy Akanpiem Ayima, an August 2020 mechatronics engineering technology graduate and a former student-athlete on the BGSU men’s soccer team, credited KrishankuttyRema for “bringing out the best in her students.” She was good at “managing her classroom, teaching concepts to all learning styles and developing a genuine love of learning,” he said.

He also appreciated the extra support she provided to him as an international student and student-athlete, accommodating his rigorous soccer schedule and also motivating him to overcome his fear of not being able to accomplish everything he needed. She also helped him land an internship his senior year.

Alexis Nicole Allen, who is president of Women in Technology at BGSU, praised KrishankuttyRema for being “a great mentor, role model and example of the type of strong woman we all desire to be.” Allen also expressed appreciation for her professor’s “patience with me and for helping me get back on track with my academic career after returning to school after having a son.” 

KrishnankuttyRema founded the Women in Technology organization and serves as the faculty advisor. She also is the hub director for the 2020 Falcon BEST Robotics. According to Dr. Todd Waggoner, associate dean of the college, a professor of engineering technologies and her faculty nominator, "she bends over backwards to help any of her students.”

“I am honored and excited to represent BGSU as the University's nominee for this award," she said. "It's also assurance that what I’m doing is going in the right direction and helps me continue to work to keep my students engaged and learning.”