A UF teaching assistant received the Jack L. Fry Award for Excellence in Teaching for his work in UF’s Entomology and Nematology Department.
At the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Scholarship and Leadership Awards Banquet, Michael Vickers, a UF philosophy Ph.D. student, was given the award after being selected by the CALS Graduate Student Awards, Scholarships and Fellowships Committee.
The award is given to a graduate student enrolled in CALS who has excelled in the classroom, and it was given to Vickers on May 5.
“(I love) interacting with the students,” Vickers said. “I love being able to teach them about a topic that a lot of individuals don’t get to interact with, generally insects.”
As a first-generation college student, Vickers said he did not have much guidance on how to navigate or apply to college.
“I take my past experiences and apply them as a way to reach students who may feel the same way I did,” he said. “I know what it’s like to not really be sure what to pursue for a career.”
Lisa Taylor, a CALS graduate adviser and IFAS research assistant scientist, said Vickers makes sure his classroom is welcoming and inclusive.
“He cares about his students and works really hard,” she said. “He makes sure his students have what they need.”
Cat Lippi, one of Vickers’ former students and a UF medical geography Ph.D. student, said Vickers stood out as a teaching assistant because of the effort he put into teaching the material.
“Aside from attention to detail and being patient, his personality helps him excel as a TA,” she said. “He’s obviously an expert in the material he’s teaching.”
Vickers said going forward, he wants to obtain a post-doctorate position to gain more research experience and search for a faculty position at a liberal arts college.
“Teaching students is one of the best experiences,” he said. “When they get enthusiastic about the subject matter, it means the world to me.”
