When students and colleagues were asked to support Young, an associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership, for the Ellbogen teaching award, all of them jumped at the opportunity to articulate here teaching qualities. They described such qualities as “excellent listener, approachable, talented, provides clear expectations, caring, fair, yet kind.”

Young teaches a research class this is typically difficult for many students. Despite the complex subject matter, everyone praised her approach to teaching. They all sensed her determination to ensure that every student is successful.

“Her dedication to each student and her thoroughness in helping each one of them to successfully complete their research projects is an example of service to students found in very few teachers,” a fellow professor writes. “She goes out of her way to work with each student, on weekends, evenings, and other times that students are available.”
Young excels at helping students manage the dynamics, priorities, and pressures encountered with graduate work.

“She is able to bring people together, create a caring classroom community, and advance students in challenging teaching and learning experiences,” a colleague says. “Suzanne is appreciated for offering fairness, reason, and heart to her teaching.”

One of her former students, now a Wyoming educator, says, “She maintains a classroom manner of pleasant dynamic enthusiasm, and her students find this enthusiasm contagious. She inspires her colleagues, staff, and students to strive for excellence in their teaching.”

A student wrote, “Her sincere warmth and caring comes across in every interaction. Dr. Young makes people feel comfortable and at ease, which is especially astounding and important when teaching a subject most students fear and dread.”

Young understands the unique challenges associated with inspiring individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and learning styles. She uses multiple teaching methods and techniques directed at the many learning styles of students in her classes.

“You mix her passion for learning, warmth and caring for others with her undeniable skill instructing, you have the ingredients for a superior teacher,” wrote an alumnus of the Adult Learning and Technology Program.

Young, who joined the UW faculty in 1996, specializes in research methodology, statistics, and applied and theoretical measurement. She received her B.S. (1978) degree in mathematics and secondary education at Metropolitan State College; and her M.A. (1990) in educational technology and her Ph.D. in educational psychology, both at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.

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