Terrell and Bright Earn Horace T. Morse Award

Two University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) faculty, Associate Professor Dr. Cassidy Terrell and Student Based Faculty (Senior Teaching Specialist) Jered Bright M.S., M.Ed., are recipients of the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. The prestigious award honors excellence in undergraduate education across the University of Minnesota. This is the second year in a row that two UMR faculty have been recognized. In UMR’s short history, seven UMR faculty members have been honored with this award.

This year a total of ten faculty members received this award across the system. UMR is honored that two of the ten recipients are UMR faculty, representing both tenured and student based faculty.

“It is no surprise to any of us at UMR that Cassidy and Jered have received recognition for their teaching. Both approach student learning using evidence-based practices and research on what actually works in the classroom. They care deeply about their students as individuals and work hard to make sure that all of their students feel supported,” shared Paul Hanstedt, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation. “We are very proud of these exceptional educators.”

ABOUT Cassidy Terrell, Ph.D.

Cassidy Terrell earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Texas, Austin and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Dr. Terrell is nationally known for her contributions to and innovations in biochemistry education. She is an extraordinary educator with a vision to transform undergraduate STEM education and a commitment to integrity, inclusivity and creativity both in the classroom and through collaborations with advisees. She strives to inspire and support undergraduate students in being agents of discovery and learning.

Dr. Terrell has spearheaded and facilitated numerous projects with undergraduate student researchers, has a robust research portfolio, seeks to support access and equity goals in her classroom, and has been critical in building the chemistry and biochemistry curriculum at UMR. 

ABOUT Jered Bright, M.S., M.Ed

Jered Bright earned a B.S. and M.S. in mathematics with education emphasis and a M.Ed. in mathematics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. With a focus on developing each student, he implements a pedagogy of care that is intentionally designed with challenges to empower each student. Bright has led the development of multiple programs, including three redesigns of UMR’s introductory math sequence and a Summer Bridge program. 

Bright’s interdisciplinary research focusing on youth mental health demonstrates a commitment to scholarship, developing ideas collaboratively and organically for the benefit of students. He is a catalyst for taking ideas and turning them into educational opportunities that benefit the system, UMR’s campus, and most importantly, students.

ABOUT THE MORSE ALUMNI AWARD

Each year since 1965, the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education (Morse-Alumni Award) has been given to a select group of teachers who reflect the University's emphasis on the importance of high quality undergraduate education. Other UMR Morse-Alumni award winners include Kelsey Metzger, Jake Wright, Jessie Barnett, Jeffrey Ratliff-Crain and Robb Dunbar.