Students Select 2024 Undergraduate Instructor and Staff of the Year Winners

Seven extraordinary teachers and four outstanding staff members have been selected, by undergraduate students, as the 2024 recipients of the school’s Undergraduate Instructor of the Year and Staff of the Year awards.

Following undergraduate student nominations, a committee of three students, one staff member, and the associate dean of the Undergraduate Program selected the following winners. For each, select quotes from nominators are included.

Instructor of the Year

Nat Bennett, Senior Lecturer, Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship

"Nat Bennett is a fantastic professor who always puts his students first. He makes every class interactive and engaging. He challenges students and offers constructive feedback while also creating an open, welcoming classroom environment. I feel like I truly gain something from every lecture."

"Nat is the best professor I have had at Carlson! I was not excited to take business communications, but having Nat totally changed my view on the course. He is enthusiastic about what he teaches and truly cares about each student. From his lectures, you can tell he's wicked smart and intentional about everything he does."

Scott Johnson, Senior Lecturer, Accounting

"Scott does a great job engaging students with the material, breaking up lectures to work on problems and help some students directly on the content while allowing others to work it out on their own. Always kind, welcoming, and seems to know everyone by name making the classroom feel small and personal."

"Prof. Johnson has nothing but drive and compassion towards his students. Pushing us to our full potential and always making sure that his students feel comfortable with material before moving on. He makes the effort to interact and talk to each student even with 75+ students in his lectures. His passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge is beyond."

Ibrahim Keita, Senior Lecturer, Marketing

"Ibrahim is always looking out for his students. He encourages a collaborative classroom where students can feel comfortable going through the content and assignments together as a class and can ask him questions. He emphasizes the process of learning as opposed to the idea that your grade defines you which I really appreciate along with many of my peers."

"He has cared about me as a holistic person more than just a student. He has done Zoom calls with me and checks in on me during class to make sure I actually understand. He has also consoled me when I had a breakdown. Best teacher ever!!!"

Wendy Lutter, Senior Lecturer, Marketing; Academic Director: Master of Marketing

"Wendy is so passionate about what she teaches! She cares deeply about her students! We had a life-changing experience studying abroad with her in New Zealand in January of 2024. I can't thank her enough!"

"Wendy is more than just a professor; her enthusiasm for the subject and her genuine concern for her students are evident. The IBUS 3019 class I attended with her was not only successful in its conclusion, but it also altered my career outlook and motivated me to stand for gender equality even more."

John Molloy, Senior Lecturer, Finance

“A great professor who does not just teach his students the content, but also about the real world. I went in for office hours and ended up chatting with him for 2 hours about my early career and aspirations. He really cares about his students inside and outside of the classroom."

"John is my absolute favorite professor ever!! He is so awesome, engaging, and helpful -- also funny and keeps things light :) He took time to help me with homework and really helped me excel in a finance class (which is not my area of expertise.) He deserves all the recognition!"

Kendell Poch, Senior Lecturer, Accounting

"Kendell has made a monumental difference in my education. She always explains things in a clear way that makes me want to learn more about accounting. When a professor can make a class about a subject you have no interest in interesting, that's when you know they are special."

"She is truly the best. She treats her class with so much respect and like we are adults. She makes class engaging and is very knowledgeable about what she is teaching. She gets straight to the point and I never feel like any time is wasted in class. You can tell she cares about her students a lot and at the end of the day, she wants us to learn."

Richard Thakor, Assistant Professor, Finance

"Richard has been one of the best professors I have had. His lectures are incredibly engaging and he truly cares for each and every one of his students. He is amazing at explaining incredibly complex financial topics. GOAT."

"I usually don't talk in class but Richard creates an environment where talking in front of the class is easy."

Staff of the Year

Geida Cleveland, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Enrollment

"Geida is such a light in the Carlson School! She interacts with students with grace, confidence, and kindness. She's encouraging, diligent, passionate, and intelligent. I'm grateful for the opportunity to know her and work with her."

"Geida shows she truly cares about students and the Carlson School as a whole and consistently works hard to make it a better place. Geida is very welcoming and I have always felt supported by her."

Jenay Manydeeds-Park, Academic Advisor

"Jenay has been invaluable to helping me curate my perfect Carlson School experience. From questions about clubs to helping me create multiple 4 year graduation plans, she is a rockstar."

"I am constantly making appointments with Jenay to help with my advising, and I feel so comfortable and confident with where I am in my college experience. She makes me feel validated in every single decision I make and gives me so many great resources."

Maureen Maslinski, Wellness Counselor

"Maureen has done so much to better the health/wellness and increase awareness for mental health at the Carlson School. She also takes time out of her busy schedule to truly form relationships with students, and organizes Wellness Wednesdays which I always look forward to."

"Maureen helped feed and clothe me when I couldn't do it myself last semester due to multiple financial emergencies and guided me to emergency funds to help me stay in my apartment. She's a force for good in this establishment and it'd be hard to imagine where I'd be without her now."

Shontel Smith, Career Coach

"Shontel quite literally helped me find my career path. When I went to her I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Shontel is very kind hearted and a wonderful listener. I have always felt seen by her and have continued to talk to her about my school and career progress."

"Shontel is always in the Maroon Lobby offering her help and stops by to have a fun conversation. She's super supportive and her colorful clothes bring joy to the lobby."