Since 1964, Cal Poly Humboldt has honored outstanding faculty and in 1986, the University added the Scholar of the Year Award. Nominations are reviewed by the Faculty Awards Committee. Recommendations for award recipients are made to the University Senate and forwarded to the President of the University. The President affirms and announces the recipients to the campus community.
Excellence in Teaching, Lecturer Faculty—Andrea Juarez, J.D.
Journalism and Mass Communications instructor Andrea Juarez, J.D. exceeds the expectations of a traditional lecturer. Her dedication to the students in the Journalism and Mass Communications department at Cal Poly Humboldt epitomizes the exceptional hands-on learning experience offered by the University. Teaching a wide range of courses, from Beginning Reporting to Media Law, to Mass Media & Popular Arts, Juarez serves as the faculty advisor for El Leñador, the award-winning bilingual student newspaper at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Demonstrating an unwavering passion in her classes, Juarez provides invaluable learning experiences that prepare students to become the kind of reporters the world truly needs: thoughtful, analytical, and conscious of the impact of their choices. She imparts ethical principles and practical journalism skills, equipping her students for their future careers.
Highly respected by her students, Juarez consistently receives accolades for helping them uncover their potential by fostering a compassionate classroom environment and offering crucial support. Her students attribute their improvement as journalists, boosted confidence, and essential skill development to her mentorship. Overall, students value Juarez for creating a nurturing environment that promotes both academic and personal growth.
Beyond the classroom, Juarez helps her students with career planning while they are in college and continues to mentor them even after graduation, creating a long-lasting mentorship.
As one student put it, “Andrea is amazing! I love the way she gives us the critique that we may need. She really does keep us on our toes. Andrea is also a great support system. It is really rare to have a professor who understands you and knows that you’re human and you come first.”
Excellence in Teaching, Tenure Line Faculty—Sara Sterner
Sara K. Sterner is an associate professor at Cal Poly Humboldt’s School of Education. She is a teacher education scholar who is passionate about teaching and has created a welcoming and safe classroom environment. Sterner uses technology and various teaching methods intentionally and seamlessly, demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills. She engages with students and genuinely cares for them.
“My approach to teaching aims to demonstrate the significance of elementary education, racially-conscious and equity-based educational practices, and empowering anti-bias pedagogical models, while deeply engaging students in the process of learning,” Sterner shares.
Sterner strives to create an educational community that welcomes and enriches all learners. As one of her colleagues says, “Sterner’s pedagogy skillfully integrates individual and cultural perspectives, creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. Her responsiveness and adaptability in the LSEE program exemplify her dedication to evolving the program to better support diverse student populations.”
Sterner has taken many leadership roles since beginning her tenure with the University in 2019, including during the COVID-19 pandemic when she started serving as the Liberal Studies Elementary Education (LSEE) program leader in the School of Education, which she held for four years.
In this role, Sterner has been a mentor to numerous students, many of whom are preservice teachers. She continues to play a pivotal role in mentoring and holistically supporting our students beyond the classroom, which is an essential component of student success. Her genuine interest in the success and well-being of her students is evident in the time and effort she invests in providing guidance and encouragement outside of regularly scheduled class time, and in many cases, after their graduation.
As one student states, “Sterner has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence in education through her innovative teaching methods, genuine care for her students, and unwavering support. She goes above and beyond to ensure that each of us has the necessary resources and guidance to excel both academically and personally. Her passion for teaching is evident in every class session, inspiring us to explore beyond the curriculum and develop our unique teaching styles.”
Outstanding Service Award Letter—Loren Cannon
Philosophy lecturer Loren Cannon is widely praised by his students and colleagues for his outstanding 17 years of teaching and extensive involvement in service activities.
Since joining Cal Poly Humboldt in 2006, Cannon has provided exceptional service to Cal Poly Humboldt and the local community, leaving a lasting impact at the University through his excellence in sustained service activities.
Cannon has taught 19 different undergraduate courses, including general education and upper-division undergraduate courses in Philosophy, and Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies, as well as a graduate course in Business Ethics for the MBA program. Cannon's service work includes developing courses in Trans Theory, and Philosophy of Law, and he was instrumental in establishing a course in Latin American Philosophy.
Cannon’s service work has included various leadership roles within the Cal Poly Humboldt Chapter of the California Faculty Association. Currently, he serves as the chair of the association’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus. He has been actively involved in union work since 2013, serving as Chapter President, Chapter Vice President, Faculty Rights Chair, the Meet and Confer Committee Lead, and State-wide Bargaining Team representative.
Cannon has worked with the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to implement a campus Care Ethics initiative. This collaborative work resulted in bringing Maurice Hamington, a Care Ethics expert, and co-facilitating university conversations centering on care. Additionally, he has been involved in various university committees including in the University Senate.
Cannon is a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, in the local community, and nationally. He has given speeches at various events, served on committees, worked on inclusive classroom initiatives, spoken at local events, and published a book on the politicization of trans identity. He regularly raises funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center and collaborates with other local activists and the San Francisco Transgender Law Center to establish a Trans Health Care Clinic in Arcata.
Cannon is a remarkable leader. His commitment to campus and the community is exemplary and goes far beyond his duties as a lecturer.
Scholar of the Year—Humnath Panta
Business Professor Humnath Panta is an esteemed faculty member of the Department of Business at Cal Poly Humboldt, who has made outstanding contributions to the field of finance and real estate. Since joining the University in 2019, Panta has distinguished himself through a prolific and impactful research program that reflects his commitment to academic excellence and societal relevance.
In 2023, Panta reached a remarkable scholarly milestone with five peer-reviewed journal articles published within a single year. This accomplishment not only exceeds the expectations for tenure and promotion at many accredited business schools but also demonstrates the high quality of his research. Four of these five articles were published in 'A' or 'B' rated journals, according to the prestigious Australian Business Deans Council ranking system. Panta’s work has garnered praise from colleagues at Cal Poly Humboldt and beyond, who have lauded his innovative contributions and the practical implications of his research.
Panta's research is applied in nature, addressing pressing issues in finance and real estate that have far-reaching implications for policymakers and investors alike. His dedication to integrating student mentorship into his research is evident; he actively involves students in his projects, emphasizing the importance of their development and contribution to the academic community. As Panta stated in his research, “Academic research should contribute to society. Therefore, I try to address contemporary problems faced by the business and financial communities and focus on benefits to students and society as a whole.”
Colleagues describe Panta as a leading scholar, innovative thinker, and collaborative team member. His ambitious future research agenda, with several manuscripts under review or in progress, promises continued contributions to his field. Recognized for his academic rigor and the practical relevance of his work, Panta embodies the spirit of scholarly pursuit that Cal Poly Humboldt values and celebrates.