Faculty and Staff Recognition Program 2020 - 13

SUNY CHANCELLOR'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN
ADJUNCT TEACHING

ANGELA C. THERING, PH.D.
Angela C. Thering, lecturer of computer information systems, embodies the
theme of Buffalo State. Through her tireless efforts, she empowers students
to believe they can succeed, she inspires a lifelong passion for learning, and through her teaching
excellence, students achieve technology skills, self confidence, and professionalism.
She is an exceptional instructor and an invaluable member of her department. She focuses on
serving students through executing a variety of teaching techniques. She is dedicated to serving as a
professional role model to her students and her high-quality instruction is worthy of emulation by her
colleagues. Since 2015, she has been teaching a large course load, including freshman-only sections.
She goes above and beyond the role of instructor to help new students acclimate to the college culture.
She helps students develop time management skills and professional dispositions that serve as a strong
foundation for their college years.
With a background as a social studies and special education teacher, Thering successfully adapts her
lessons to the needs, interests, and unique challenges that face Buffalo State students. She fosters
intellectual growth through techniques that turn students into problem solvers. She helps students gain
confidence with computer skills that allows them to take on more advanced computer applications
and she differentiates instruction so that students with a wide variety of skills can move beyond their
comfort zone and master course content.
Thering has also been active in supporting the department's teaching assistant program. Each semester,
she identifies, nominates, and supervises promising undergraduate students in this leadership role.
In addition, she has actively contributed to student retention efforts on campus as a research team
member for the Faculty Intervention to Increase Student Retention project. Always prepared and
always encouraging to her students, Thering represents the best in adjunct teaching.
Nominator: Ramona R. Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems

Faculty and Staff Recognition Program 2020

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