UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Bernard J. Jansen, professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, has received the 2016 President’s Award for Engagement With Students.
The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. The honorees have made themselves available to interact with students outside class, link students to opportunities and help them build their confidence as learners and potential contributors to society.
Since joining the college in 2002, Jansen has taught a variety of courses and mentored numerous undergraduate researchers. He served as thesis adviser to 10 Schreyer Honors College students from IST, Smeal College of Business and the College of Communications. He’s also co-authored 25 research publications, while mentoring about two dozen undergraduate students.
What sets Jansen apart, said a colleague, is his ability to link students to career opportunities with companies while helping to build their confidence as learners and contributors to research and the workforce.
In Jansen’s IST420 class, students create and implement online marketing campaigns for small- to medium-sized businesses across the state. Teams from this course have had great success, placing each year in Global Final, an international competition that awards innovation and creativity.
“The overwhelming success of student teams in both our resident and World Campus programs provide strong evidence of (Jansen’s) ability to structure a learning environment and collaborative activities that foster students’ academic growth … and professional development,” said a nominator.
Jansen has also formed a number of student engagement activities including the Google Online Marketing Challenge, which is strengthened with the help of former students. Jansen has set up a program where more than 100 former students, many working in the field, serve as volunteers and mentors to current students competing in the challenge.
Jansen also finds talent in many University clubs. He advises students in InnoBlue and the Digital Marketing Club. In IdeaPitch, he mentored two award winners.