Heidi Sleister, professor of biology, recently received the 2017 Iowa Distinguished Science Teaching Award from the Iowa Academy of Science. The award is given to educators for their innovative teaching practices at the university level.

Sleister was nominated for the award by current and former Drake students, as well as on-campus faculty. Excerpts from Sleister’s nomination letters were read aloud at the awards ceremony during the Iowa Academy of Science’s Annual Meeting in Cedar Falls on April 21. Sleister was praised for her innovative and creative teaching strategies, and dedicated mentoring of students in classroom and advising contexts. She has mentored over 50 students in research contexts; student nominators credited her with preparing them for graduate school by helping them understand the content behind the science, developing independent and critical thinking skills, and fostering confidence.

The Iowa Academy of Science’s mission is to foster interest in the sciences, scientific research, and science education, and to recognize high achievement in fulfilling this mission in the state of Iowa.

—David Senchina, Department of Biology