English Graduate Student Named Top Teaching Assistant

Kevin Chauncey, a master’s student in English working in the area of linguistics, received the UNC Charlotte Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for 2018, presented by The Graduate School.

Chauncey, who completed his master’s in the spring 2018 semester, and Xiaoxue (Lisa) Chen, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, were chosen as the two honorees from among 21 nominees. The award honors students nominated by faculty supervisors for their work as teaching assistants, recognizing outstanding and innovative teaching techniques.

Chauncey supported courses under the direction of English professors Alan Rauch and Ralf Thiede. “Kevin was one of the most dedicated graduate students with whom I have ever worked,” Rauch said. “He will be remembered by the students as someone who made their courses come alive and who motivated them to greater levels of curiosity, thoughtfulness, and intellectual rigor.”

In addition to his work in the classroom, Chauncey and the members of the English Graduate Student Association organized the 18th annual EGSA Conference, one of the largest conferences of its kind in the Southeast and has served  as vice-President of the Early Modern Palaeography Society. English Department community members note that he is always generous with his time, participates in practically every departmental event, and has earned the respect and admiration of the community.

Graduate teaching assistants assist department chairpersons, faculty members, and other professional staff by performing teaching or teaching-related duties, including teaching lower level courses, developing teaching materials, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers.

Judith Krauss coordinates efforts to support graduate teaching assistants through the Center for Graduate Life, including Graduate Teaching Assistant training offered at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. She also offers workshops on a variety of teaching-related issues each semester.

Graduate students interested in obtaining a graduate research or teaching assistantship should contact their academic department directly. More information about administrative assistantship opportunities is available on the Graduate School’s Funding web pages.

Words and Image: Courtesy of The Graduate School | Image: Associate Provost and Dean of The Graduate School Tom Reynolds (left) and Kevin Chauncey