UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Asghar Gholizadeh, a doctoral candidate in civil engineering, was recently selected as a 2016-17 Distinguished Teaching Fellow in the College of Engineering.
The fellowship program was established to provide experiences that will enhance the career success of the fellows, especially those who choose to pursue faculty positions.
Each year, up to 10 doctoral students are selected as fellows to teach an undergraduate engineering course under the supervision of a faculty mentor for one semester.
“I am really flattered to receive this fellowship,” said Gholizadeh. “I am hoping to achieve useful skills in designing slides for class presentations, teaching effectively, managing a classroom, learning about the tricks and challenges of teaching and how to handle them.”
As a participant of the program, Gholizadeh will receive exclusive professional development opportunities, including attending the College of Engineering's new faculty workshop; participating in monthly roundtables with peer teaching fellows and faculty known for excellence in their teaching; and attending special workshops sponsored by the Leonhard Center.
With up to $2,500 additional travel support from the college, Gholizadeh is planning to attend the annual conference with the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and workshops with the National Effective Teaching Institute, in order to further enhance his teaching and communication skills.
“I consider myself in many ways the product of the good impressions and enlightening quotes that I received from a few of my instructors as well as my advisers,” he said. “I still have them and their words in my mind, which inspire me to continue on the path that I embarked upon years ago. I want to be that teacher to my students as well.”
Gholizadeh received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from K. N. Toosi University of Technology and his master’s degree from the Sharif University of Technology in Iran.