Rebecca Torstrick (FACET Class of 2001) received the 2020 P.A. Mack Award for her distinguished service to teaching that significantly and demonstrably advances the goals of FACET.
Torstrick is Senior Assistant Vice President for University Academic Affairs and Director of the Office of Completion and Student Success, and Professor of Anthropology at IU South Bend. She was nominated for this award by Michael Morrone, FACET Director.
“Dr. Torstrick is well known at IU for her dedication to and relentless drive to help our students succeed in pursuit of their education. Her creativity has allowed her to significantly influence the University’s strategies and initiatives aimed at student success.” – Michael Morrone
In his nomination letter, Morrone highlights four initiatives that Torstrick has helped implement in the last several years. First, she has reimagined advising through the development of Student Engagement Roster, Academic Roadmap, Career Edge, and iGPS. Second, Torstrick co-developed the Teaching for Student Successmodule series, a collaborative project between University Academic Affairs, FACET and UITS. Third, in response President McRobbie’s charge of pervasive teaching excellence articulated in his 2017 State of the University address, Torstrick led a comprehensive evaluation of teaching and learning on all campuses. One element of this initiative was drafting the “Identifying Pathways to Document Teaching Excellence.” Lastly, in a time of crisis and uncertainty due to COVID-19, Torstrick led the creation of online new student orientation for all IU campuses.
The P.A. Mack Selection Committee was composed of Julie Saam (Chair), Stacy Morrone, and Carol Hostetter. The Committee stated, “Becky has ‘demonstrated excellence and distinguished service to teaching’ (one of the principles of the P.A. Mack award) by contributing to IU’s understanding of how teaching connects to student success. Becky is known for going above and beyond the call of duty, rallying the troops, and serving the university by connecting those that work for student success and those that work in teaching and learning for the betterment of IU.”
Torstrick will be recognized at one of the upcoming virtual FACET events and the in-person Annual Retreat in June 2021. There will also be two upcoming P.A. Mack Forums, the first led by Mark Hoyert, the 2019 P.A. Mack Award recipient, and the second presented by Torstrick. Further details will be announced soon.