Two ArtSci Professors Named Teachers of the Year

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University professors Andreas Malmendier and Sydney O’Shay have been named Teachers of the Year in the USU College of Arts & Sciences. The two will be honored at the ArtSci award ceremony on March 25 and are also in the running for the university-wide Eldon J. Gardner Teacher of the Year Award.

Andreas Malmendier is recognized for sustained excellence in teaching, curricular leadership and mentorship in mathematics and statistics.

“We live in a highly technological world, and most people are naturally curious about how things work — whether it’s quantum computing, medical imaging like CT scans, or modern communication technologies,” Malmendier said. “Mathematics is the foundation behind all of these developments, and so a big part of my teaching philosophy is simply to bring those connections into the classroom.”

His top teaching evaluations reflect long-term impact, and he strengthens foundational instruction through major course redesigns.

“My main motivation is always to make courses genuinely useful for students,” he said. “That does not mean simplifying the material or teaching only ‘recipes,’ but building real bridges between mathematics and the fields where it is used, such as physics and engineering.”

He mentors doctoral and master’s students, guides Honors and URCO projects, and supports undergraduates who have earned Goldwater Scholarships, an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and competitive NSA internships.

“Often, the main thing students need is a small nudge,” Malmendier said. “Encouragement to apply, reassurance that they are competitive, and guidance through the process.”

Sydney O’Shay is honored for outstanding, student-centered teaching, innovative course design, and transformative mentorship in communication and media.

“I take great pride in my teaching and being a teacher. I’m a first-generation college student. I grew up in a rural area and grew up in poverty, really, so I always kind of saw education as my way to have a better life,” O’Shay said. “When I went to college, I was really lucky to have some great mentors and educators that helped me along the way, and I just strive to be like them and to be that for my students.”

She has taught nine courses with IDEA scores in the highest national categories and continually refines her instruction.

“Over the years, I’ve really tried to fine-tune my courses to ensure I show students how they can take what they learn and use it in the real world, regardless of where they’re going after their degree,” she said.

Through applied learning, research funding and dedicated mentoring, she supports undergraduate and graduate scholars who earn competitive awards and achieve academic success.

“I try to remain consistent so students see that I’m a whole person and recognize that it’s okay for them to be a whole person,” O’Shay said.

To hear more from these professors, attend their lectures in the ongoing ArtSci Faculty in Focus Series. Malmendier will present on April 17, and O’Shay will present on April 6. Stay tuned to the ArtSci event calendar and visit the website for more information.