Lone Star College-CyFair recently bestowed Faculty Excellence Awards on three longtime dedicated employees, who said they were not only grateful, inspired and flattered by the honor, but further motivated to continue what they love to do.
This year’s award-winning professors, teaching students their respective subjects of art, economics and logistics, through a historical lens as well as current real-life examples, tools and skills for future success, are Matthew Backer, Dr. Ghazal Bayanpour-Tehrani and Jon Sorensen.
“These three faculty members exemplify the passion, creativity and dedication to each student that characterize LSC-CyFair,” said LSC-CyFair President Dr. Valerie Jones. “Their love of their fields is matched by the energy with which they spark that enthusiasm in each student. I am excited to celebrate their hard work and their leadership as innovators.”
Backer, Lead Faculty for the Bosque Gallery, has been teaching art history and art appreciation at LSC-CyFair since 2009. While he enjoys making art, his preference is thinking and talking about art. And he is most satisfied with his teaching when he’s learning from students bringing new perspectives to the classroom discussion and group work.
Having earned his bachelor’s and master’s in art history of the United States and, more recently, a second master’s in rhetoric and composition, Backer believes people can come to appreciate history more fully and better understand the visual world that surrounds them through the study of historical artwork.
“In addition, I seek student understanding, by which I mean I want my students to walk away from the class with tangible and specific knowledge and skills that they can apply to their future classes, to their careers, and to their lives outside of work,” he said.
Dr. Bayanpour-Tehrani, Department Lead Faculty for Accounting and Economics as well as advisor of the student Economics Club, said she was determined to change lives and have a positive impact on others when she began teaching at LSC-CyFair in 2014.
“As an educator, it is always my responsibility to adjust my teaching methods and pace to make sure students of all educational backgrounds thrive to success,” she said.
Fascinated by how economics helps everyone understand the world, people, businesses, markets and governments, Dr. Bayanpour-Tehrani said teaching brings her both joy and satisfaction with a rewarding opportunity to share her knowledge and learn from her students.
“I have been simply pleased to witness students’ success, whether success is good grades, graduating, transferring to a four-year university or even an engagement with me and other classmates during my class over the years,” she said.
Sorensen, who is also a Texas Piper Professor nominee and Texas Skill Standards Based Program Recognition recipient, has taught logistics at LSC-CyFair since 2015. Bringing 21 years of working logistics-related jobs at Sysco Corporation, industry guest speakers and real-world scenarios to his students, he is also an advocate of learning beyond the classroom, the power of networking and attendance at external business events and conferences.
“Cultivating an environment of engaging students into the workforce becomes a blueprint for their journey to success from their first introductory logistics course through graduation,” Sorensen said. “From a personal perspective, my greatest satisfaction doesn’t come from awards or recognition, but rather from seeing how my support, mentoring and inspiration helps guide a student onto a pathway of success in whatever their chosen field.”
These faculty members were recently recognized at the campus convocation and will be honored again at the LSC system’s upcoming awards event.
It’s not too late to register for spring classes with multiple Next Start options available. For information, go to LoneStar.edu/regcyfair or LoneStar.edu/nextstartcyfair.