Dr. Dena Kniess, an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education and program director for the Student Affairs Administration program, was honored with the Excellence in Teaching award by the Faculty Council for National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
The Faculty Council Excellence in Teaching Award is given to a full-time faculty member at any rank who has demonstrated excellence, enthusiasm, and innovation in teaching in any modality (e.g. face-to-face, hybrid, online).
“It is an honor to receive this award as I was nominated by students and a dear mentor, Dr. Tony Cawthon,” said Kniess.
Kniess began her career as a student affairs practitioner in residence life and transition programs. As a practitioner, she has worked at Ball State University, the University of Delaware, and Clemson University.
During her time at Clemson, her mentors Dr. Tony Cawthon and Dr. Pam Havice inspired her desire to teach and move into a faculty role.
“Teaching gives me joy, and I strive for continuous improvement in my teaching strategies and hope that joy and innovation help our students,” noted Kniess.
Kniess has been teaching for ten years, joining the App State faculty in the fall of 2023.
Along with her teaching, she co-edited New Directions for Student Services publication, Managing Career Transitions Across the Lifespan with Cawthon and Dr. Kristin Walker-Donnelly. This publication takes approaches career transitions from graduate student to retirement and provides resources and advice for students' and practitioners' journeys in the field.
Dena Kniess
