Drs. Ron and Mary Hulnick with Faculty Member Johanna Jenkins

New Award for Teaching Excellence Presented to Faculty Member Johanna Jenkins

A special award – the first “John-Roger Award for Teaching Excellence” – was given to Johanna Jenkins for her 17 years of service to the University. USM’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Mary Hulnick, presented the award, sharing: “Johanna has been a pillar of strength and loving at USM as a key faculty member." Mary then went on to read the plaque that was presented to Johanna:

University of Santa Monica 2009
The John-Roger Award for Teaching Excellence

The gentleness of your voice and the kindness in your eyes are indicators of the loving and light that radiate from your being. Your warmth, humor, and irrepressible cheerfulness are also part of a special brand of loveliness. Your unflappable grace under pressure, your ability to say just the right thing at the right time, and your willingness to serve in any capacity that Spirit directs you are truly inspirational. You have a heart of gold. It is with great wisdom, care, and steadfast devotion to USM that you have served as a steward of the Counseling Psychology Program for the past 17 years. We're profoundly grateful for your many years of service.

Johanna was delighted with the honor, sharing her heartfelt gratitude with Ron and Mary, the students, and John-Roger: “Every student I have had the blessing of connecting with, of supporting, of looking into their eyes has been a blessing. I consider my participation at the University to be one of the greatest gifts of my life. I have tremendous gratitude for John-Roger, and the way in which he is inside of me has allowed me to share the loving that I do in this work. I am also deeply grateful to Ron and Mary. There’s a Peanuts strip where Snoopy says: 'I am grateful to the bottom of my feet. Because sometimes saying I am grateful to the bottom of my heart isn’t enough.'”

We love and appreciate you, Johanna — thank you for sharing who you are in the many ways you do!