Winning the prestigious Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence is an honor for any program. But for the young Environmental Science Program at UW Tacoma, it's a huge accomplishment.

First offered eight years ago, environmental science has grown from a liberal arts degree concentration with two faculty members to a degree program in its own right, with state-of-the-art labs and a rich curriculum of field and classroom work for 60 students. What the program lacks in size and history it makes up for in lasting impact on students, the UWT campus and the South Puget Sound region.

"I like to think that we are accessible, available and committed to going the extra mile to see our students do well," Faculty Coordinator David Secord said. "Everyone here shares our commitment to success, and we are really thrilled and honored by this award."

Environmental science is the only natural science program at UWT. It is officially part of the liberal arts-based Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences program, something Secord sees as both a challenge and an advantage.

"Our students can study the policy, law, history, and literature of the environment and broaden their perspectives beyond science," he said. "And we're building content that was not part of the IAS program before."

Environmental science offers a series of core upper-division courses in natural sciences. Instructors bring a wide variety of scientific interests: oceanography, biology, geology, chemistry and more. But while their expertise varies, they are unified in their interdisciplinary approach to teaching.

Field courses are a big part of this program. In the early years, there was no lab space on the Tacoma campus, so everything happened out in the field. Today, the program shares UWT's new science building and has adequate lab space for hands-on analytical and experimental work in the classroom.

But the commitment to fieldwork remains. Students and faculty often work on environmental projects around Puget Sound, and the program strongly emphasizes undergraduate involvement in authentic scientific research. Several environmental science students have co-authored scientific and policy articles and presentations with faculty, and students have presented research in a number of places.

Environmental science professors have taken students far from Tacoma to conduct research. In 2000, Secord led a study trip to the Galapagos Islands. Later, a partnership with the Sea Education Association of Woods Hole, Mass., led by Associate Professor Cheryl Greengrove and Assistant Professor Jim Gawel, enabled faculty and students to do research on a tall ship sailing from Puget Sound to San Francisco. In 1998, Secord and Greengrove taught a marine research field course in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, and in 2004 Professor John Banks will lead a field course on tropical ecology in Costa Rica.

Secord and a number of students took the lead on a recent research project that looked at aquatic invasive species in the Puget Sound region. In 2002, after four years of research, Secord and a group of undergraduate students helped develop an exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium to teach the public about such "alien invaders."

Secord believes such ventures teach students how to apply science in the real world.

"I think our students should leave here thinking like a scientist," he said. "They should be able to design experiments, test hypotheses, read the literature, communicate effectively and analyze complex problems."

Students have, so far, been successful. Although only a small number have graduated — 23 so far, with about a dozen more set to graduate in June — many have gone on to work in environmental consulting firms or state and federal agencies, and several have entered challenging graduate programs.

Secord says credit for the program's success should go to students as well as faculty and staff.

"Our students are really strong, able and motivated."

Secord is also grateful for the opportunity to run an independent science program while taking advantage of the University's vast resources.

"We designed our program autonomously, but we are able to interact with our colleagues in Seattle, and that makes us better science teachers," he said. "We have access to research facilities and libraries in Seattle, and that gives our small institution some of the scientific flavor of a large university."

– Jill Carnell

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As faculty director of the UW's Global Business Center (GBC), Kathy Dewenter oversees the program on a case-by-case basis. Literally.

That's because the school's Certificate of International Studies in Business (CISB) program hosts two undergraduate student case competitions yearly, the most notable being the Global Business Challenge, along with the Ikea Case Competition. Case competitions are designed to provide teams of business students with a forum to exercise the knowledge and skills acquired in class by developing solutions to hypothetical business problems within a set timeframe.

The Global Business Center, home of one of 30 federally funded Centers for International Business Education and Research nationwide, is the umbrella organization for international activities within the Business School and is being honored with the 2004 Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence.

Dewenter, who is also an associate professor of finance and business economics, said the broad range of extracurricular activities in the CISB program deepens students' understanding of the world and provides them with invaluable management and leadership experiences.

"The net result of all of the events and activities is a broad exposure to the world that provides a more complete frame of reference for the academic lessons in the classroom and builds a keen sense of community among the students," she said. "A sense of community is not a trivial matter. Community enriches their lives both inside and beyond the classroom, and fosters a lifelong commitment to their friends, the program, and the University."

The Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence, established in 1998, recognizes the accomplishments of UW programs and departments that advance excellence in teaching and learning among undergraduates.

Created in 1992, CISB is designed to develop students' knowledge of international issues and business practices, encourage cultural sensitivity and foster global leadership skills. Its mission is to prepare students to become leaders in a globally interdependent, culturally diverse and technology-driven business world.

In addition to the requirements of their functional majors, CISB students must demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, take courses in international business and study or perform internships abroad. About 7 percent of graduating seniors are awarded the certificate each year.

Jennifer Brezicha, ‘01 graduate of the Business School and alumnus of CISB, credits the skills she developed in the program to her successes on Wall Street, where she currently works for an investment firm.

"Since my time as a CISB student, I have lived in London and New York City, traveled around the world, worked on The Street and have met many top business leaders," she said. "I can say without hesitation that my time in the CISB program helped prepare me professionally, academically and cross-culturally for the challenges and opportunities I have faced."

Staff members also give the program high marks, and say it works because of the collective efforts of student leaders, faculty and academic advisors, exchange program coordinators, alumni and supporters in the business community.

"The CISB program is designed around the characteristics of successful global business leaders, as identified by our global business advisory board," said Debra Glassman, CISB assistant faculty director and senior lecturer in the Business School. "Students start with a functional business specialty such as finance or marketing, and then add language proficiency, international business coursework, an overseas experience, a practicum experience, and leadership experience. When they complete the certificate requirements, they offer a great package to potential employers."

– Nancy Gardner

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