McHenry County College (MCC) recently announced Kate Kramer as its 2023 Faculty Member of the Year and Jennifer Carver as its 2023 Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year. The award recipients, selected by peers, are chosen based on their commitment to teaching, contribution to the college community, and professional development.
Kramer has taught Earth Science at MCC since 2009.
“Kate is a change agent who is committed to the success of her students and making the world a more sustainable place,” said O’Neil Wright, Dean of Mathematics and Sciences at MCC. “She understands the importance of engagement and works tirelessly to inspire her students.”
In addition to making a difference in the classroom, Kramer is also the chair of the Earth Science department, a member of the Sustainability Committee, and a mentor for the STEM Scholars program. On MCC’s campus, she was instrumental in the creation of a Geoscene wall, a hands-on learning tool which features the shapes, colors, and composition of various rocks found underground. The Geoscene wall, which measures 16 feet long and 5.5 feet tall, is not found on any other community college campus.
“My goal is to inspire and empower my students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their goals and make a positive difference in the world,” Kramer said. “I believe every student has the potential to succeed. My role is to facilitate this growth by creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters curiosity and encourages students to take risks and challenge themselves.”
Kramer has an undergraduate degree in hydrogeology from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a master’s degree in glacial geology from Indiana University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education for sustainability at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Jennifer Carver, the Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year, has taught Mathematics at the College for 10 years.
“Jennifer is relentless in her pursuit of continuous improvement and in ensuring that her students receive a quality educational experience,” said Wright. “She has a knack for taking difficult mathematical concepts and breaking them down in a way that all students can understand. She makes math personal and relatable.”
In her math classes, Carver prioritizes hands-on activities that help students learn to apply their skills.
“I focus on projects and activities that help me share the fun of mathematics and help students see how math can be applied in their daily lives,” said Carver. “I love the ‘aha’ moment students get when they finally understand a concept.”
Carver earned her BS in mathematics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2001 and her MS in mathematics from Texas A&M in 2017.