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Pamela Harvey, teaching associate professor, recognized for the passion and effectiveness of her teaching

Pamela Harvey, teaching associate professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB), has won the inaugural Cogswell Award for Inspirational Instruction. 

Supported by a generous donation from Craig Cogswell, a three-time alumnus of CU �鶹ӰԺ, the award recognizes outstanding instruction in the college, honoring individuals for their inspirational qualities and teaching abilities.  

Harvey joined CU �鶹ӰԺ as a postdoctoral researcher in 2009 and has served on the MCDB faculty since. She earned a PhD in neuroscience from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2009 and holds degrees in psychology, physiology and neurobiology from the University of Connecticut.

Harvey was praised by her students and colleagues for her passion, dedication and creativity, especially her commitment to mentoring students.

The National Academy of Sciences named her an Education Fellow in the Life Sciences in 2012, and she has twice been designated a faculty fellow by Arts & Sciences Support of Education Through Technology, which integrates technology with pedagogy to promote “impactful learning.”

Cogswell earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1970, followed by master’s degrees in education in 1979 and in educational psychological studies in 1984.

Cogswell retired from a long career as a high school social studies teacher, corporate educator and young-teacher mentor. He was named Colorado Teacher of the Year in 2000.

“I think university instructors always have the dilemma that their primary focus is research or writing, things like that,” he told the Colorado Arts and Sciences magazine in 2017. “To me, at the university level, when someone really works hard on being a dynamic, interesting or challenging teacher, that is something that should be acknowledged and rewarded.”

Cogswell said it was a privilege to support Harvey: “She’s an outstanding instructor and academic leader. Her involvement and her dedication to students are inspirational.”

Lee Niswander, professor and chair of MCDB, said the department is “extremely proud” of Harvey and grateful that she’s been honored with the Cogswell Award.

“Dr. Harvey has a stellar record of teaching excellence and is strongly dedicated to student gains academically and through research opportunities. She helped pioneer hypothesis-driven course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) on our campus and has mentored faculty across CU in their development of CUREs,” Niswander said, adding that Harvey has “inspired countless students and helped them to reach their academic and professional goals.”