Dr. Pam Clary is Missouri Western State University’s recipient of the 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. Dr. Clary, assistant professor and director of social work, received her award at a luncheon with Lt. Gov. Mike Parson in Jefferson City on April 5.
“Dr. Pam Clary has a reputation as an excellent teacher, academic advisor, mentor and social worker,” reads her award nomination. “She employs a variety of teaching strategies that engage students in active learning and students benefit from her push for them to reach their potential.”
Dr. Clary’s teaching and advising of social work students at Missouri Western has influenced them to become service-minded professionals. As an example, she is the faculty advisor for the campus Organization of Student Social Workers. This organization recently received the 2017 award for Best Fundraising Event by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness for their Walk Against Hunger event that raised thousands of dollars locally.
Dr. Clary has been on Missouri Western’s faculty since 2007. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas State University, her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and her Ph.D. from Kansas State University. In addition to her teaching experience, she has more than 17 years of direct clinical experience.
The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education is given annually to one faculty member from each public university across the state.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.