Professor Rebecca Reck received the Mac Van Valkenburg Early Career Teaching Award at the 2023 Frontiers in Education Conference. This award, presented by the IEEE Education Society, acknowledges her valuable contributions to undergraduate education, laboratory curriculum development, and inclusive pedagogy methods.
Named after Mac Van Valkenburg, former Electrical Engineering professor and Dean at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, this award signifies Reck's commitment to upholding a legacy of excellence in engineering education.
As a strong proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, Reck has established successful practices to making education more accessible and intuitive, particularly in lab settings, that she looks forward to continuing.
Laboratory experiments and design projects are key components of engineering education,” said Reck. “I have investigated ways to take advantage of new technologies to make laboratory equipment more affordable and portable, and I plan to continue to make sure that laboratory experiments and design projects in my classes evolve to stay up-to-date with new technologies, represent industry practice, and support the objectives of my course.”
In addition to recognizing Reck’s contributions to education and the student experience, this well-deserved award specifically celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional teaching prowess early in their professional journey. Reck has structured her teaching methods around helping her students achieve their full potential.
“The cornerstone of my teaching philosophy is to provide students with a solid foundation on which they can build a career as an engineer, leader, entrepreneur, lawyer, doctor, or wherever their career path might lead,” said Reck. “When they’re finished, students should understand engineering theory and practice and should be able to apply problem-solving skills during the design, implementation, and testing phases of development, all with the opportunity to develop professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and confidence along the way.”
In light of this award, Reck expressed gratitude to her mentors, colleagues, family, and friends for their unwavering support throughout her career, especially those who nominated her for this award. She also commended the IEEE Education Society for its efforts in advancing engineering education globally and acknowledging the impactful work of its members.