Three St. Cloud State University employees were honored for excellence in teaching and service at the Minnesota State 2025 Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence in St. Paul on April 16.
Associate Professor of Secondary Education Dr. J. Scott Baker was named a 2025 Educator of the Year, the second-consecutive year an SCSU faculty member has received the system’s top honor.
“Dr. Baker supports students in their journey of self-reflection and demonstrates how that helps them make sense of their future classrooms,” said SCSU Interim President Larry Dietz. “While students go through this process, he assesses them as they grow in self-awareness as future teachers. Self-reflection, vulnerability and authenticity are important means to build a community of belonging within classrooms.”
The Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence acknowledge and provide systemwide recognition for consistently superior commitment to student learning and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence at the colleges and universities of Minnesota State.
Two other SCSU employees were also honored on April 16.
Dr. Melanie Guentzel, director of graduate student services, was a 2025 Outstanding Service Faculty recipient. She supports and advocates for students by working with departments to ensure programs meet quality standards and helps find solutions for complex academic situations.
Dr. Jungwon Ahn, associate professor of engineering and engineering technology, was named a 2025 Outstanding Educator. He was noted for offering students relevant learning experiences and a supportive learning environment through field trips to view manufacturing processes and use of interactive tools.
A list of past SCSU winners is available on our website.
