The Provost's 2023 Outstanding Teaching Awards: Amanda Ellis
Each Thursday, UKNow is highlighting one of the winners of the University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teaching Awards, given by the Office for Faculty Advancement with the Office of the Provost.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 6, 2023) — Amanda Ellis, Ph.D, vice chair of the Department of Biostatistics and director of graduate studies of the Master of Science in Biostatistics (MSBST) program at the UK College of Public Health, is one of 10 winners to receive the University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teaching Awards.
These awards identify and recognize individuals who demonstrate special dedication to student achievement and who are successful in their teaching. Recipients were selected via nomination and reviewed by a selection committee based in the UK Provost’s Office for Faculty Advancement and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching.
"Receiving the Provost Teaching Award is an honor that humbles me beyond words,” said Ellis. To be recognized for my dedication to education and the impact I've had on the lives of my students is a privilege beyond measure. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and will continue to strive for excellence in guiding and shaping the next generation of University of Kentucky graduates. It is with profound gratitude that I accept this prestigious award, knowing that it represents the collective effort of students, colleagues and mentors who have supported my journey."
Ellis is a first-generation UK alumna with three degrees: bachelor's degree in mathematics, master's degree in statistics and a doctorate in statistics. Before returning to UK, Ellis started teaching at Eastern Kentucky University.
Now, Ellis is the director of the new MSBST program at the UK College of Public Health. The 33-credit, two-year master of science in biostatistics degree will equip students with the knowledge and methodological skills that will drive better decisions for public health, health care and biomedical research.
Ellis was also recently appointed as an officer in the Teaching Statistics in the Health Sciences section of the American Statistical Association (ASA). The ASA is the world’s largest community of statisticians with the mission of promoting the practice and profession of statistics.
This year’s Outstanding Teaching Awards were given to seven faculty and three graduate teaching assistants. Each winner received an award certificate, a commemorative engraved gift and a cash award in recognition of their teaching excellence.
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