The department was recognized for its excellence related to promoting recovery and wellness for individuals and families, along with developing meaningful connections with students and community partners
The Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences (CFAS) department was recently awarded the 2023 Department Excellence in Teaching Award (DETA). DETA is a recognition of a department or comparable academic unit that has made unique and significant contributions to the teaching mission of Texas Tech University. Tim Dodd, College of Human Sciences dean, shares how this achievement speaks to the excellence of the CFAS faculty and staff.
"This is symbolic of the standard of excellence that the department holds itself to in all its teaching functions," Dodd said. "The department faculty is devoted to giving students the most innovative experiences and opportunities in the classroom that will prepare them for future careers in a field of ever-growing importance. I am extremely proud of the faculty's commitment to our teaching mission."
The general criterion for the award is a 'teaching culture,' which reflects a commitment to students, makes teaching a high departmental priority, and facilitates teaching excellence throughout the department. Recipients of the DETA receive a $25,000 prize to enhance teaching in any way the department determines. Doug Smith, Ph.D., chairperson for the department, said the funds will be used to purchase new computers in student lab space, provide access for faculty and students to a large clinical video library, and to make a donation to the Red Raider Food Pantry.
“All the faculty and staff of the Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences Department work extremely hard to serve our students and the teaching mission of TTU,” Smith said. “We are very appreciative and humbled by the recognition of those efforts and will continue to aspire to providing the best possible education experience to our students.”
Some of the criteria for the award include the contribution of research, the impact of interdisciplinary instruction, student and alumni testimonials, and much more. DETA nominees highlight evidence of teaching excellence related to the department's teaching mission. The mission of the CFAS department is to enrich individuals, families, and communities through collaboration and education.
In the application, the department included many aspects to which they are adding value to the program. Some of that included promoting recovery and wellness for individuals and families, educating scientist-practitioners to facilitate therapeutic change, produce meaningful scholarships, embrace diverse groups, and develop authentic connections with students, colleagues, and community partners.
The Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences department represents Texas Tech and the College of Human Sciences' expectation of excellence. The programs and departments in the College of Human Sciences aim to improve and enhance human health and wellness. Congratulations to the Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences department.