Kate Tierney, lecturer in the University of Iowa Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has earned the Collegiate Teaching Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Tierney teaches courses in environmental science, the study of energy and the environment, and sedimentary geology, and—when travel is not barred due to a pandemic—regularly leads field trips to locations around the United States and internationally.

Her students respond not only to her excellent teaching both in the classroom and in the field, but also to her caring mentorship. One student who worked with Tierney said that she inspired a major academic and career decision in the student's life.

"My first interaction with Dr. Tierney occurred after a friend convinced me to sign up for the fall semester geology field trip offered by the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department," the student said. "At the time, I was somewhat unsure of my future path as a student and had changed my major multiple times. I was tentatively thinking about changing it yet again, perhaps to geology, but was not convinced. Dr. Tierney was the instructor for the field trip, and I briefly visited her office to get some details about the logistics prior to our departure. This was a routine affair, but I realized very quickly in her office that day that Dr. Tierney was extremely generous with her time and knowledge, both with students she had known for many years and with a student like me, whom she had first met just a few minutes prior."

The field trip changed the student's life.

"It was that field trip to southeast Missouri that convinced me to change my major to geology for good," they said. "More accurately, it was Dr. Tierney’s enthusiasm and excitement about Earth history that convinced me to study geology as a career pursuit. At each outcrop, she encouraged us to hone in on the smallest of details, and then to zoom out to try and catch a glimpse of the bigger picture. Every stop was a lesson in both what we could learn about the Earth from the rocks right in front of us and what questions we might answer with further study. Every student inquiry was met with absolute respect and graciousness, and I know that even students who did not end up pursuing a career in geology benefited from Dr. Tierney’s literally down-to-Earth approach."

Another student related a similar story about Tierney's infectious love for her discipline.

"Not only is she an outstanding educator, an incredibly knowledgeable scientist, and an advocate for all her students," the student said, "but it is because of Professor Tierney’s guidance that I am where I am today—a graduate student at an institution renowned for its geosciences program, happily conducting research and learning from top-tier researchers. And I owe it all to Kate Tierney."

A third student hailed Tierney's skills in front of a classroom.

"Kate can hold the attention of an entire lecture hall simply with her charisma and relatable storytelling. This attention to detail, both in class and at an individual level with students, even earned her a standing ovation at the end of the semester," they said.

Tierney spearheaded the development of, and serves as faculty advisor for, the Environmental Sciences Student Club, which connects students in diverse majors who are interested in environmental sciences. She also is a member of the advisory board for the interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences Program,which offers BS and BA degrees.

David Peate, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said Tierney is dedicated to student success and academic development, as well as to her students' well being. He emphasized her success in leading field trips, noting that she ensures the journeys are operated in an equitable and inclusive manner.

"It is really the 'field-based' courses where Kate's passion and instructional skills really stand out," Peate said. "It takes a certain mindset and dedication to willingly travel with a group of college students to different parts of the country and even abroad for a week or two. Kate plays a key role in department instruction by teaching most of our non-capstone field courses. She has established herself as an excellent teacher, dedicated to undergraduate student success and academic development, and an incredible mentor to all students."

Tierney earned her PhD from Ohio State University and joined the UI faculty in 2015.