FULLERTON, CA | Hope International University’s annual Honors Convocation Awards Chapel recognized this year’s outstanding graduating scholars, and presented ERIN GALAVIZ, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, with the Rose B. & Edgar B. McReynolds Faculty Excellence Award for the 2021-2022 academic year. The award is presented annually to one HIU faculty member who embodies teaching and learning excellence, as identified by the HIU community.

Professor Galaviz’s nomination came from faculty and students alike who commended her for being extremely knowledgeable in her field, “highly present” for students, and especially caring and invested in their success. She was also described as always findinng an interesting way to present and explain material, and to relate it to real life. “She fuels and honors students’ curiosity and cultivates their hunger to learn.”

One student describes Professor Galaviz as “going above and beyond to serve students and the campus community, providing help and opportunities for learning even outside of class.”

Dr. Steve Edgington, Vice President for Academic Affairs said, “Professor Erin Galaviz works very hard to serve her students well, both in the classroom and out of the classroom. Her efforts to establish and grow the Kinesiology Club has greatly enhanced the experience and learning of the students in her academic program.”

Professor Galaviz received her award with overwhelmed emotions and later stated, “Receiving this award makes me think of the expression ‘The tip of the iceberg.’ Most people only see the success, they don’t see all the work that led to that point.  I received a lot of guidance along my journey, and I attribute my success to those people.

“My colleagues at HIU have played a huge role in my success. They welcomed me with open arms and consistently provided me support. My husband has been my rock. He’s helped me prepare lectures, grade, fix equipment and the list goes on. And foremost, God believed in me, even when I didn’t. God gave me someone to lean on, especially on the tough days.

“I feel so blessed to be honored this way, and I see this award as a culmination of everyone that helped me along this journey.  What’s so beautiful about this job is that I get to be a part of my students’ journeys.”

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// For the complete list of Honors recipients, see https://www.hiu.edu/alumni/annual-awards.php