The Outstanding Teaching by Part-Time Faculty (PTI) Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to student learning. The award is presented to as many as five part-time instructors each year and carries with it a one-time payment of $1,000, a personal plaque, and recognition at the 51ԹϺ Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony held every spring semester. The award is administered through the Teaching & Learning Commons.
2025 Recipients

Cameron Scharchburg Beyer
College of Hospitality
Cameron is currently the VP of Operations for Caesars Entertainment and began teaching as a part-time instructor with the Harrah College of Hospitality in 2023. Cameron first became involved with the college as a mentor with the college's annual mentorship program. He became a part-time instructor after hiring several 51ԹϺ interns and frequently hearing "I wish we learned this concept in college" and has designed his course with the goal of better preparing students for their post-graduate careers.
Cameron has graciously agreed to share his application awards packet with those who plan to apply for the PTI award. Please contact the Teaching and Learning Commons to obtain a copy.

Shelley In, PT, DPT, PCS
Department of Physical Therapy
Dr. Shelley In is a Part-Time Instructor for 51ԹϺ’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She is a local Pediatric Physical Therapist serving children and their families at Summerlin Hospital’s Neonatal ICU and Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic. She received her ABPTS Board Certification for Pediatric Physical Therapy in 2021. As a Part-Time Instructor for the Department of Physical Therapy, Dr In teaches DPT759 Pediatric Rehab Lecture and DPT759L Pediatric Rehab Lab during the Spring Semesters of the program. For the remainder of the year, she provides support as a part-time instructor for the clinical education team, providing supervision for our physical therapy students on their 10-week clinical rotations. This involves connecting with their clinical instructors, tracking student’s progress, and traveling to various clinical sites in and out of our state as needed during their clinical affiliation.
Dr. In’s goal for every cohort of new students she teaches is that she can inspire and encourage them to be the type of clinicians that we hope will be treating our families and friends – ones that deliver compassionate care, meet patients where they are without judgement, and show a genuine desire to help people, all while having exceptional skill and knowledge in their field. As a practicing clinician, Dr In has the ability to share real life success stories and the amazing role she gets to play in these childrens’ progress. Her hope is that year after year she can inspire students to develop a love for their community and make a difference in people’s lives.
Shelley has graciously agreed to share her application awards packet with those who plan to apply for the PTI award. Please contact the Teaching and Learning Commons to obtain a copy.

Alicia Lamas
Department of World Languages and Cultures
I was born in Argentina and came to the United States as a young adult, bringing with me the long-held dream of becoming a teacher. Before immigrating, I worked as an interior designer, a profession that nurtured my love for order, structure, and beauty. These same qualities now guide my approach to teaching Spanish, helping my students discover the beauty of language by building their skills step-by-step on the path of bilingualism.
At the heart of who I am is a deep appreciation for family. I am forever grateful to my family for installing in me not only a strong foundation in education but also the values that helped shape me into the mother and grandmother I am today. My love and respect extend beyond the classroom and home to all animals; I believe every living creature deserves kindness and compassion. Teaching, cherishing my family, and caring for animals are the constants that bring meaning and happiness to my life.
As a college Spanish instructor, I believe that language learning is not only about mastering grammar and vocabulary but also about opening doors to new perspectives, cultures, and way of thinking. My teaching philosophy is grounded in communicative and student-centered approaches where students actively use Spanish in meaningful contexts. I strive to create a supportive, inclusive, and interactive classroom where mistakes are seen as essential steps in the learning process. Drawing from my background in design, I bring a sense of structure, creativity, and appreciation of the beauty of learning a new language into my lessons. I incorporate authentic materials: music, literature, media, and film to expose students to the richness and diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Beyond language skills, my goal is to inspire confidence and curiosity in my students, encouraging them to travel, explore new cultures, and use their Spanish to connect with others. I want them to experience firsthand how language opens doors, fosters empathy, and expands personal and professional opportunities, so that they become lifelong learners and empathetic global citizens.
Past Recipients
Those award recipients who have agreed to share copies of their award packets are indicated in the Award Packet Available column. Please contact the Teaching & Learning Commons to obtain a copy.
Year | Recipient | Unit | Award Packet Available |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Chrissie Choa, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT) | School of Integrated Health Sciences | No |
2024 | JosePablo "JP" Castillo, OTD, OTR/L | Department of Brain Health | Yes |
2024 | Mayumi Hirano | World Languages and Cultures | No |
2023 | Kirsten Barnstorf-DeBord | Department of World Languages and Cultures | Yes |
2023 | Jamie Huston | Department of English | Yes |
2023 | Ian Seidenbeg | College of Hospitality | Yes |
2021 | Xiaoling Hays, Ph.D. | Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures - Chinese | No |
2021 | Elizabeth “Hope” Hinchman | School of Nursing | No |
2021 | Yousif Muradian | Department of Finance | No |
2021 | Hiroko Tadano | Department of World Languages and Cultures - Japanese | No |
2021 | Claudia Chiang-Lopez | Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies | No |
2021 | Monica Hsu | Department of World Languages and Cultures | No |
2021 | Carlos Mata-Alvarez | School of Music | No |
2021 | Cynthia Mishlove | Department of English | Yes |
2021 | Joanne Ullman | Department of Psychology | Yes |
2020 | Jonathan Bradley | Department of Political Science | No |
2020 | Sanae El Ibrahimi | School of Public Health | Yes |
2020 | Holly O'Brien | College of Hospitality | Yes |
2020 | Bin Ruan | Department of World Languages and Culture | Yes |
2020 | Steve Salerno | Department of Journalism and Media Studies | Yes |