A professor at Ivy Tech Community College Madison has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction for the Ivy Tech Southeast Region.
Amanda Harsin, Chair of the Social and Behavior Science Program and Associate Professor of Communication, was presented this spring with the award, which is an annual recognition of a full-time faculty member who typifies excellence in instruction and in representing the mission of Ivy Tech.
“It was evident early in Amanda’s teaching career that she loves interacting with students and takes personal pride in providing the best educational environment in all of her classes,” said Dr. Matthew Probst, Ivy Tech Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. “Amanda’s enthusiasm toward the college is readily apparent with her active involvement with student initiatives and those initiatives that will prepare our students for the diverse working environment they will face upon graduation.”
Harsin joined Ivy Tech part time in 2007 and has been a full-time faculty member since 2009. She teaches courses such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, and theatre appreciation. In addition to her teaching, Harsin conducts research to improve family communication as families deal with genetic and chronic disease. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Hanover College and master’s degree at University of Kentucky, and she is currently completing her doctoral coursework at IUPUI. Harsin puts an emphasis on global learning in line with Ivy Tech Community College’s mission “to prepare Indiana residents to learn, live and work in a diverse and globally competitive environment.”
Outside of the classroom, she has worked with Madison campus leadership to develop strategies for local high schools to earn enough college credits while in high school to have some students finish their high school career with both their high school diploma and a credential from Ivy Tech. As a result, each week approximately 180 high school students attend Ivy Tech classes on the Madison campus, and Harsin teaches several sections of high school students in her Fundamentals of Public Speaking class.
“Ivy Tech is an amazing place where eager learners, great teachers, and community initiatives come together for the betterment of all of us,” Harsin said. “I couldn't be the professor I am today without my family, my eager students, and my entire campus.”
Amanda Harsin
