Celebrating CSU’s Best
A teacher is…someone who inspires; someone who motivates; someone who leaves a mark on a generation. However you define “teacher,” Colorado State University has some of the best, and on March 30, 2026, we celebrate them!
Best Teacher Awards
Monday, March 30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Lory Student Center Theater
500 University Ave.
Fort Collins, Colo.
2026 Recipients
Michelle Ancell
Michelle Ancell (B.A., ’96; M.C.M.M., ’19)
College of Liberal Arts, Department of Journalism and Media Communication
Michelle Ancell is a senior instructor of journalism and media communication whose teaching emphasizes storytelling, audience engagement, and community connection. A CSU alumna, Ancell creates inclusive, supportive learning environments that encourage students to take creative risks and develop confidence in their voices. She teaches courses in online storytelling and professional communication, bringing real-world experience and industry perspectives into the classroom. Beyond teaching, Ancell plays a central role in student mentorship and engagement, serving as coordinator for the department’s First-Generation initiative and helping organize signature events such as Clarkchella. Her work consistently helps students feel welcomed, supported, and prepared for meaningful careers.
“Michelle is not only devoted to the journalism department, but also the staff and students within the department as well. Michelle not only makes sure the journalism department as a whole gets the recognition it deserves, through running and organizing huge campus events like Clarkchella, but also down to the personal level. Michelle has helped so many students, like myself, find their footing in the journalism department and feel at home. She is truly the definition of selfless.”
– Jayden Catalano, undergraduate student (’27)
Olivia Arnold
Olivia Arnold, Ph.D. (’18), M.S., R.E.H.S.
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Olivia Arnold is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences who helps students see science as both rigorous and deeply human. In courses spanning environmental and molecular toxicology, she emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and real-world application, reminding students that mistakes are a natural and essential part of scientific discovery. Known for her organization, accessibility, and genuine care, Arnold fosters an inclusive classroom environment where students feel supported academically and personally. Beyond the classroom, she serves as a dedicated academic adviser and mentor, guiding students as they navigate research, career paths, and professional growth.
“My favorite part of being in Olivia’s class was how understanding she was when we made mistakes. She always reminded us that errors and unexpected lab results are a normal part of science, and that learning from them is what truly matters.”
– Peggy Fu, grad student (’30)
Jason Landis Downing
Jason Landis Downing, M.S.
College of Liberal Arts, Department of Sociology
Jason Landis Downing is a senior instructor of sociology whose teaching centers on compassion, equity, and the power of community. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Downing creates inclusive, student-centered classrooms that encourage critical thinking, connection, and care for others. His courses explore social inequality, food justice, and environmental responsibility, often extending learning beyond the classroom through community engagement and service. Known for his welcoming classroom environment and meaningful student mentorship, Downing challenges students to see their education as a tool for positive change and to carry its impact far beyond campus by encouraging students in every class session to “Be Good People and Do Good Things.”
“Professor Downing inspired me by his curiosity and kindness. He always wants to genuinely understand every student’s ideas, and he ends every class by saying ‘be good people, do good things.’ I left every class feeling inspired.”
– Daniella Adams, undergraduate student (’28)
Kenny R. Ivie Jr.
Kenny R. Ivie Jr. (B.S., ’11; M.S., ’12)
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Kenny Ivie Jr. is a senior instructor in biomedical sciences whose hands-on, high-expectation approach helps students build both knowledge and confidence in anatomy. A CSU alumnus, Ivie teaches human and animal anatomy across undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary programs, creating an engaging learning environment where curiosity is encouraged and mistakes are treated as part of the process. Known for his energy, humor, and accessibility, he challenges students to think critically while ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. Beyond the classroom, Ivie leads extensive outreach efforts, bringing anatomy education to K-12 students, community groups, and future health professionals across Colorado.
“Kenny’s passion for teaching is contagious – it makes me want to find a career that brings me the same kind of joy. His positivity and energy in class inspire everyone around him, encouraging us to get genuinely excited about the material for that day. It’s clear that he has found his calling, and his enthusiasm brightens every room he’s in.”
– Emma Kinnamon, undergraduate student (’26)
Rodolfo Valdes-Vasquez
Rodolfo Valdes-Vasquez, Ph.D., ENV SP
College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Construction Management
Rodolfo Valdes-Vasquez is an associate professor in the department of construction management whose teaching and research center on sustainability in the built environment. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering and a master’s in construction science and management, as well as a B.S. in CE. A former Fulbright Scholar and first-generation college graduate, Valdes-Vasquez emphasizes student-centered, experiential learning that connects classroom concepts to real-world challenges. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in construction management, mentors student research, and advises the Sustainable Construction student club and ASC Sustainability Team. His work regularly engages industry partners to inform curriculum, support applied research, and prepare students for professional practice. Valdes-Vasquez’s innovative approach to teaching has earned national recognition, including the 2020 Excellence in Education Abroad Curriculum Design Award and the 2024 ASC Region 6 Outstanding Educator Award.
“Dr. Valdes-Vasquez shows a level of commitment to CSU students that goes far beyond the classroom. He makes himself available outside of class, shows up to weekend mock presentations, gives honest feedback, and pushes every student to reach a higher standard. He genuinely cares about developing us not just as students, but also as future professionals and leaders in the construction industry.”
– Brad Quinn, undergraduate student (’26)
George Wittemyer
George Wittemyer, Ph.D.
Warner College of Natural Resources, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
George Wittemyer is a professor of fish, wildlife, and conservation biology whose teaching and research explore the ecological, social, and policy dimensions of wildlife conservation. An internationally recognized conservation scientist, Wittemyer brings real-world field experience into the classroom through experiential, discussion-based learning. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on large mammal conservation, systems thinking, and applied management, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecological and human systems. Beyond campus, he serves as chief scientist for Save the Elephants and mentors students engaged in conservation research and fieldwork around the world.
“He makes certain every student walks away with a better understanding of systems as a whole … from the environment to the policies that influence its conservation. He wants his students to be representatives of CSU and one of the best fish, wildlife, and conservation biology programs in the world.”
– Elizabeth Parker, undergraduate student (’26)