In the inaugural round of American National University’s Semi-Annual Faculty Institutional Excellence Award, three outstanding professors have been honored: Dr. Courtney Jenkins, Cristi Conrick, and Dr. Paul Reyes-Fournier. Twice each year, program chairs, deans, and direct managers nominate faculty members who exemplify the core values of ANU. Through nominations submitted by Program Chairs and Deans, this university-wide honor highlights faculty members who exemplify a deep commitment to teaching and student success. The award reflects the University’s dedication to instructional excellence by recognizing those who inspire active learning, intellectually engage their students, communicate effectively, and make a positive, lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
Dr. Courtney Jenkins
Courtney Jenkins has worked in the field of higher education for the past fifteen years and is dedicated to supporting students as they expand their knowledge and achieve their academic goals. Dr. Jenkins earned her B.S. in English Education with a minor in Mass Communications and her M.A. in English Education from Virginia State University. She later completed her M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Chatham University and obtained her Doctorate in Business Administration from South University. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys reading, writing, watching films, spending time with family and friends, and caring for her pets. Dr. Jenkins resides in Pittsburgh with her family and is the proud mother of two children. She remains deeply committed to student success and values the opportunity to help learners reach the important milestone of earning their degrees.
From the dean who nominated her, Elizabeth Ashy: “Dr. Courtney Jenkins is a passionate instructor who stands out for her enthusiasm for the subject, English Composition. She gets involved, listens, and teaches with purpose – not just to cover the content. She plans her classes with a clear objective, explains concepts clearly, and organizes her lessons. She uses different strategies to adapt to various learning styles. She encourages participation, asks questions, and provides constructive feedback during class and through her grade book comments. Her responses to the students in the discussion section are clear, concise, and constructive. She consistently demonstrates excellence, integrity, and respect for students and our institution, and she also creates an environment conducive to learning. She contacts students throughout the term and keeps the General Education Program Chair informed.” Some feedback from her students is:
- “She was very professional and caring. She made sure that I understood what the assignment was.”
- “Dr. Jenkins was great!”
- “The synchronous sessions were helpful because they allowed me to ask questions in real time and better understand expectations. The instructor kept the sessions organized and interactive.”
- “My instructor was very supportive and explained the material clearly. I appreciated the patience shown during class and the willingness to answer questions when something was confusing. The examples and guidance provided during lectures made the assignments easier to understand. Overall, the instructor created a positive learning environment and helped me stay motivated throughout the course.”
Cristi Conrick
Cristi Conrick earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University and brings nearly 27 years of experience as a paralegal to the classroom. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively in legal practice, developing expertise in case management, legal research, professional ethics, and client relations. As an educator, she is dedicated to preparing students for real-world success in the legal field, emphasizing professionalism, ethical responsibility, practical skills, and the development of strong communication and critical thinking abilities. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she is married and a proud mother of two children and two granddaughters, who inspire her ongoing commitment to mentorship and lifelong learning.
From the dean who nominated her, Wendy Notz, “Mrs. Conrick consistently creates a safe, friendly, and engaging learning environment, as reflected across her course evaluations and my conversations with students. Students repeatedly highlight her approachability, her ability to make challenging material accessible, and her genuine care for their personal and academic success.” Some of the feedback students have given her is:
- “I love her, she’s funny, friendly, and always there to help.”
- “Dr. Conrick provided engaging material, useful links, and realistic guidance for real-world paralegal work settings.”
- “Professor Conrick’s style of teaching is great. Made me feel like a person/student, not just another faceless product on a conveyor belt moving to the end of the line. I saw that in her actions towards other students at well.”
- “Professor Conrick was an incredible instructor, and her class was a delight to join every time. She fostered a safe and fun learning environment and ensured that everyone understood the materials. If given the chance, I would take her class again.”
Dr. Paul Reyes-Fournier
Dr. Paul Reyes-Fournier has a BS in Physics, an MBA with Finance specialization, a Graduate Certificate in Accounting, and a Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Yes, he is a math person. He is an active researcher with a research focus on corporate messaging in a cancel culture environment, and he has published and presented on the topic. He has 30 years of experience in the corporate nonprofit sector, where he served at the C-suite level for mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness centers.
Paul is happily married and has three children, two of whom are already adults, and a dog that is definitely not an adult. He lives in Barcelona, Spain. He and his family have had the opportunity to experience various cultures this way.
From the dean who nominated him, Dr. Lyndsey Obringer: “He actively engages students through intellectually stimulating coursework that emphasizes critical thinking, applied learning, and real-world relevance. His ability to clearly communicate complex business concepts, provide meaningful feedback, and foster an inclusive learning environment has a positive impact on his students.” Some of the feedback students have given him is:
- “This instructor has been my favorite so far, he is amazing. He is great at explaining things in a way that it is understood without having to ask again. He also makes the engaging fun!”
- “The professor is excellent; he really knows how to be a Master’s professor”
- “The synchronous class sessions were engaging and well-structured. They helped clarify key concepts, encouraged participation, and made the material easier to understand through real-time discussion and examples.”
- “The instructor was knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive throughout the course. He explained concepts clearly, encouraged questions, and created a positive learning environment that made it easy to stay engaged and motivated.”
