Awards
Congratulations to Stephanie Hartwell who was awarded the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching. It has been said by her department that Professor Hartwell truly exemplifies the “teaching soul” that makes UMass Boston a special place. This is evident in her teaching and advising of both undergraduate and graduate students, her mentoring of colleagues and alumni, and her work as a project leader in the community.
Professor Hartwell teaches courses, many of which she has developed herself, in the undergraduate Criminal Justice Program and the Applied Sociology MA Program. These courses are reflections of her scholarly focus on social problems, at-risk populations, applied social research, public health, and social justice issues. In addition, Professor Hartwell’s students often have opportunities to work within the community, such as in her collaboration with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.
Colleagues and students speak of Professor Hartwell’s “unparalleled pedagogical creativity,” her innovative courses with engaging approaches, her inspiring classroom presence, and her enthusiastic commitment to students. Her energy and passion are well-received by students. As one says, “Dr. Hartwell is far and away the best professor I have ever had.” Other current students and alumni describe feeling “lucky” and “privileged” to have Professor Hartwell as both a teacher and an advisor.
As Professor Hartwell herself states, she brings her “heart and soul” to teaching, and it is clear that she is not only a distinguished teacher, but that she also distinguishes UMass Boston as a university through her remarkable, impassioned teaching.