Winifred Schultz-Krohn, an occupational therapy professor in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San José State University, has earned the Outstanding Professor Award for 2014. Schultz-Krohn will be recognized at the Faculty Service Recognition Luncheon on March 11.
Schultz-Krohn has worked at the university for 18 years and she said the best part of her time as an educator has been her students’ willingness to “leap into activities.”
“My research agenda is in the area of homelessness,” she said. “My students have always been very willing to work with this underserved population .”
Winfred Schultz-Krohn, center, works with students in an occupational therapy classroom. She will receive the outstanding professor award March 11 at the SJSU Faculty Service and Recognition Luncheon.
She said through the efforts of her students, the OT department has been able to put forward a number of proposals at state, national and international conferences that were well received. One group of students was invited to Chile to present their work.
“Wynn has a great passion for occupational therapy and teaching,” said Pamela Richardson, the chair of the Occupational Therapy department, via email. “She is committed to helping students succeed and supports them as an instructor, advisor and mentor. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious and she passes on her love of the profession to our students, many who remain in touch with her long after their graduation.”
Schultz-Krohn said she was surprised when she got a call from SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi.
“Some faculty in OT nominated me last year,” she said, noting that the nomination process requires the nominee to put together an extensive portfolio for consideration. “I wasn’t selected last year, but I thought there are a lot of wonderful professors (at SJSU.)”
She said she got a call in fall 2013 that her portfolio from last year had been kept and moved forward as a finalist for the 2013-14 school year.
“I got the call and it was a Friday morning,” she said, adding that she had been in a rush to get to an all-day Academic Senate meeting so she answered in a casual manner only to be surprised to find President Qayoumi on the line.
She said she was thrilled with the news of the award.
In her teaching, Schultz-Krohn said she is always cognizant of explaining to students how the things they are learning in the classroom will benefit clients in the future.
“I help them to see the connection,” she said. “They are not in practice yet so it might seem a bit remote or disconnected.”
Schultz-Krohn’s scholarly interests include pediatrics, family centered intervention, families and children who are faced with homelessness and living in shelters, individuals with feeding problems, neurological disorders and neurological rehabilitation. She has served on the American Occupational Therapy Association Commission of Continuing Competence and Professional Development. She serves as faculty advisor for the SJSU chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon, the honor society for Occupational Therapy. She also represents the College of Applied Sciences and Arts on Academic Senate and is part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) steering committee, which is preparing for a university-wide accreditation this spring.
When asked how she balances teaching and her service on campus, she said, “Oh, lots of chocolate.”
“I do feel very committed to this campus,” she said. “I do want to give back. I’ve been very fortunate to receive grants from campus and had a sabbatical leave granted a while back. I feel a real commitment to serve the community in any capacity I can.”
Read the announcement story of the awards on the SJSU blog at: http://blogs.sjsu.edu/today/2014/outstanding-professor-award/