Excerpts taken from FresnoStateNews.com “Media, communications and journalism professor selected for top teaching award” by BoNhia Lee.
Fresno State Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ) professor Jes Therkelsen was selected for the university’s 2024 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, announced Dr. Xuanning Fu, Fresno State’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Hanaya Oya, also with the MCJ department, was one of three selected for the Promising New Faculty category of the Provost’s Awards in recognition of their exemplary achievements in teaching, research, creative activities and/or service among non-tenured, tenure-track faculty.
Therkelsen teaches students to create authentic stories across communities that build strong citizenry and give voice to their own narrative and identity. He tries to inspire curiosity, deepen civic and media literacy, develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and embolden students to step outside of their comfort zones and to pay attention to the world around them. Therkelsen joined Fresno State in 2012 and has publicly exhibited more than 20 independent films, some involving students, in regional, national and international venues. He developed unique courses at Fresno State and works to refine and foster deep learning, to generate engagement and enthusiasm, and to keep subjects current so students can participate in the highest-quality learning environments possible. He is inspired by his many fellowships, residencies, workshops and other developmental programs on and off campus. Some of his proudest moments come from former students who have found success in their careers and lives due to his teaching and mentoring.
Oya has demonstrated a deep commitment to students, the department and the university on since starting at Fresno State in 2023. She has published 23 significant works, ranging from documentary series episodes to a book, an investigative story and newspaper columns. Among these was the Netflix documentary series “Turning Point: The Bomb and The Cold War,” a collaboration with Dr. Lori Clune from Fresno State’s Department of History. She has received grants totaling more than $169,000 from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the Government of Japan, and the Fresno State President’s Circle to support various projects. Her university service includes serving on the Assessment Committee for the Media, Communications and Journalism Department as committee chair, the Master of Fine Arts Program Committee, the Graduate Program Committee and the Committee for Inter-Department Communication and Collaboration in the College of Arts and Humanities. Oya is pursuing a doctoral degree in communication.
Other provost award winners include:
- Dr. Mariya Yukhymenko, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Dr. Hovannes Kulhandjian, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — Distinguished Achievement in Research, Scholarship and Creative Accomplishment Award.
- Dr. Fernando Parra, Department of Accountancy — Faculty Service Award.
- Howie Hua, Department of Mathematics — Outstanding Lecturer Award.
- Dr. Chris Miller, Department of Psychology — Promising New Faculty.
- Dr. Soumyasanta Laha, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — Promising New Faculty.
- Jayne Ramirez, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies — Outstanding Staff.
The Provost’s Awards were established in 1993 to recognize the outstanding teaching, research and service that is central to the mission of Fresno State. Honorees provide students with a stimulating environment that fosters learning and affirms the university as an intellectual and cultural leader in the Central Valley.
Visit FresnoStateNews.com to learn more about this year’s Provost Award recipients.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 