By Bri Brands 

Dozens of faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were recognized by the graduating class of 2025 for making a positive difference in their life during their time at the University of Iowa.

Graduating students were invited to complete the UI Senior Exit Survey, in which they recognized faculty or staff who had a positive impact on them inside and outside the classroom. Those mentioned by five or more students are listed in bold.  

Several faculty members across the college reflect about the way they teach students and what it means to them to be recognized as influential. 

Kaveh Akbar, Department of English 

Kaveh Akbar, Roy G. Carver Professor of English and director of the English and creative writing major, said there are two ways in which he wishes to have an impact on students in his classroom. 

“I hope my students leave my classroom with the ability to think critically about language, to recognize its history and potency and potential and limits,” he said. “More than that: I hope they leave better able to move into humble grateful service to what they love best.” 

With his first degree being in English education, he has spent his entire adult life learning how to be a better teacher. 

“To be the beneficiary of my students’ regard in this way affirms that work. It affirms the latter half of my entire life,” Akbar said. 

Adam Brummett, Department of Chemistry 

Adam Brummett, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, loves to watch students grow as learners and scholars. 

“It’s exciting to watch them develop their passion for learning and discover their unique strengths,” he said. “Being a small part of a student’s journey is what makes teaching such a privilege.” 

Brummett is motivated by supporting his students and hopes he can empower those who enter his classroom. He said the recognition affirms that his efforts are meaningful and resonate with students. 

“If I can help them build a sense of self-efficacy over the semester, that confidence and ability to navigate challenges will stay with them far longer than any specific chemistry content,” Brummett said. 

Kelly Danaher, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences 

Kelly Danaher, assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, hopes that sharing her field with students can help shape their perspectives on the world. 

"The most important takeaway I hope they carry with them is that human behavior is a product of complex mechanisms, many of which are outside our awareness," she said. "Because of this, I hope students are more compassionate and kind to themselves and others." 

Danaher said it can sometimes be hard to remember the impact she has on students, as it is easy to get lost in the administrative tasks of the job. 

"Not only do I get to see students develop in my courses, but I also get to hear about their many other accomplishments at Iowa and beyond," she said. "It’s inspiring to see all that they do, and I feel honored I get to be a part of their story, no matter how small my role." 

Motier Haskins, School of Social Work 

Motier Haskins, associate professor in the School of Social Work, hopes to help students develop skills to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.  

"This not only deepens their understanding but also prepares them to handle complexity and ambiguity in their future careers and lives," he said. 

Haskins also has a motto that helps drive his work: "You teach me, I'll teach you, and we can teach each other." 

It is deeply meaningful and humbling to be recognized by his students, Haskins said. 

"I try to move through life with humility, focusing on doing the best I can to support and guide students," he said. "Knowing that something I've said or done has resonated with them or made a difference in their lives is the highest kind of affirmation." 

Anna Morrison, Department of Cinematic Arts 

Anna Morrison, assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Cinematic Arts, strives to instill confidence in students by listening to them, encouraging them, and seeing the beauty in the works they create. 

"I emphasize process over product and the power of developing a lifelong artistic practice that will sustain students over the course of their lives, through every season and hardship," she said. 

For Morrison, the best part  is getting to know students on a deeper level and seeing them grow as people and writers. 

"I have a strong memory for my students but also for their stories and the worlds they create on the page," she said. "Their work leaves a lasting impression on me." 

Rishab Nithyanand, Department of Computer Science 

Each semester, Rishab Nithyanand, assistant professor and emeriti-faculty scholar in the Department of Computer Science, aims to help his students become critically engaged with technology, even if they have no prior experience. 

"I try to create an environment where critical thinking is rewarded, questioning dominant narratives is expected, and students feel like they belong to a community of peers and mentors who are genuinely invested in their success," he said.  

Nithyanand loves nothing more than when learning clicks for a student and they can start applying their newfound knowledge to technology all around them.  

One of the main reasons Nithyanand pursued a career in teaching was to help students grow to their full potential and prepare for meaningful careers in technology.  

"To be acknowledged by my students in this way is deeply meaningful to me," he said. "I’m grateful that I had the chance to support them during this formative time in their lives and I hope to hear from them about their future successes." 

Bri Swope, Department of Health and Human Physiology 

Bri Swope, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Physiology, tries to create a classroom and learning environment that is welcoming, inclusive, respectful of ideas and experiences, and that leads to student success. 

Several of Swope's courses partner with professionals in the University of Iowa community and beyond to give students hands-on learning, which also serves as an opportunity for students to build their network. 

"I hope that students walk away from my classes with an understanding of how to best provide play and recreation programs and services for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds," she said.  "And I hope that students walk away from our conversations with the confidence to share their ideas, try new things, and to dream big." 

Swope delivers the same quote to every student at the end of the semester who has worked with a client one on one: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world." Swope said the quote is a reminder to her and her students that being a positive, influential person can make a world of difference.

"When a student says that I’ve made an impact on them, it really means the world to me, and I know that we will be interconnected as we are shaped by those around us,” Swope said. 

Debra Trusty, Department of Classics 

Debra Trusty, distinguished associate professor in the Department of Classics, hopes to create a spark of passion for students that leads to life-long learning.  

Trusty doesn't want students to stop learning after they graduate: Sshe wants to show them there's always more to learn, and learning can be rewarding and fulfilling.  

"In the end, I hope my students find ways to perpetually engage with something they are passionate about," Trusty said. "Life is more fulfilling when you wake up excited to experience something new and the only way to do that is to keep learning and exploring." 

Trusty said taking risks with undergraduate students is her favorite aspect of the job, from experimenting with new projects to going on adventures in Greece. 

"I get the chance to learn from them just as much as they learn from me," she said. "It's a great relationship and an honor to be a part of their learning experiences."