Dr. Nghi Thai - Psychology Professor of the Year

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We would like to congratulate Dr. Nghi Thai who was selected as this year's winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award. The Excellence in Teaching Committee announced the 2018-2019 annual faculty awards at the April 26th Faculty Day celebration. Excellence in Teaching awards recognize faculty who inspire and engage students in dynamic and creative ways fueled by a sharp understanding of their academic discipline. Candidates also must work effectively in the classroom and in the larger Central community and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to growth as an educator. Dr. Nghi Thai joined the Central psychological science department in 2012. She teaches the introduction to psychology, intergroup relations, and graduate community psychology courses. As a community psychologist, Dr. Thai uses ecological systems and community-based participatory research approaches. She is the co-chair of the Faculty Senate Community Engagement Committee and a Research Aligned Mentor. Dr. Thai says that her greatest joy at Central is the amazing students she has had the honor to teach, advise, and mentor. One of her students, Laine Blankenburg, wrote the following tribute to Dr. Thai:

Dear EIT Committee, Re: Dr. Nghi Thai

I have had the honor and privilege to get to know Dr. Thai for the last five years. I first met Dr. Thai in 2014 when I took her Intergroup Relations class which focuses on the impact of social categorization on human psychology. Topics within the class include stereotyping, prejudice, gender issues, race relations, and multiculturalism. The class is to teach us about diversity and being open to people’s differences. It was clear from day one that this class will challenge what we are used to and open our eyes to what individuals go through daily.With that said, it is vital to create a safe and welcoming classroom environment to have open and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations about sensitive topics. Dr. Thai made sure that the class felt comfortable with each other to discuss these sensitive topics and that we respected one another. She did this by having us do a lot of small group activities the first few classes so that we could get to know one another.

Prior to taking Dr. Thai’s class I would rarely ask questions during class, let alone give my opinion. There was one homework assignment where that all changed. She assigned an article about perceptions of students labeled with learning disabilities in higher education. The barriers students faced included being misunderstood by faculty, being hesitant to request accommodations out of fear of being stigmatized and having to work longer hours than those without the learning disability label. This back story is important because I felt like I was living this research article because I have a hidden disability. In high school, I sustained two brain injuries and have a learning disability. When the next class rolled around, I knew I could not sit silent anymore, and that I had to speak up in class not only for myself but for other students who were also sitting in silence feeling crippled by this label. Dr. Thai has helped me to become the woman I am today because she allows her students to speak freely in a safe and welcoming environment. She has taught me that it is okay to be different and that it is a great thing to be different! There was one phase in the article that solidified everything for me, even though it is not supported in the disability population, being differently-abled resonates with me because it is exactly how I live life. I might have a disability, but I am able to accomplish my goals in my own way.

Dr. Thai brings the real world into the classroom by creating panels for outside personnel to come in and speak about their life experiences. Dr. Thai has created a panel for transgender individuals, Muslim Americans, and those with hidden disabilities. Since taking Dr. Thai’s Intergroup Relations class I have had the honor to speak on her panel of hidden disabilities since 2014. I am able to share my stories about concussions and having a learning disability and that I am still able to be successful in higher education and the workforce.

Dr. Thai deserves this award because she sees and fosters the potential in her students to become the best person they can be and helps prepare them to go into the real world with an open mind and greater respect for others.Dr. Thai makes sure that her students get to know one another, respect each other, and gives her students opportunities to explore their beliefs and grow as individuals. This is what college is supposed to be about. I wish that a class like this was required for all students, not just psychology majors. Dr. Thai has helped me grow and excel in more ways than I ever imagined. Being a great teacher in the classroom is one thing but being able to prepare your students for real-life experience and encounters is invaluable.

In addition to Dr. Thai's recognition, other members of the department also were recognized. Dr. Anurag Rimzhim was a semi-finalist for the EIT award, and the following faculty were honor role members: Dr. Julia Blau, Dr. Silvia Corbera, Dr. Rebecca Wood, and Dr. Jason Sikorski.