Outstanding University Teacher Award, Tenured

Myoung Jin Kim, Ph.D.

• Professor / College Statistician / Director, Office of Nursing Research, Scholarship and Innovation for Mennonite College of Nursing.
• Ph.D. from University of Northern Colorado in Applied Statistics and Research Methods 2005

Teaching Philosophy

Helping students become well-rounded professionals with core teaching values of students-based learning, constant interaction with students, rigorous learning, and diversity and inclusion.

My motivation to become a college professor comes from …

The biggest motivation for teaching is from the opportunity of my constant interaction with students and watch them grow as professionals.

The three most valuable or important methods/approaches/attitudes/etc. that I bring to my teaching practice are …

Making a positive impact, however trivial it may be, in the lives of young adults. Understanding the greatest stage for student-professor interaction may not be inside the classroom after all. Possess an "old-school" frame of mind - "no pain, no gain" education - when it comes to teaching.

Best compliment that I’ve received from a student was …

I was able to explain the class content clearly and incorporated teaching strategies that made the class content fun and easier to grasp those tough statistics concepts. Additionally, “he always takes the time to make sure we understand the material and is very helpful when we ask questions. This was an excellent class, and I actually learned a lot about statistics even though I had already had 4 courses previously. This was the best statistics class I've ever taken.”

The one teaching technique or strategy that I would recommend to my colleagues to enhance student learning the most is …

One can begin every course by learning about and understanding my students' strengths, motivations, and needs. To help them become well-rounded professionals with the highest level of critical thinking and analytical skills, we then guide them through various contents and materials using different teaching strategies according to their needs.

“I strongly believe that true learning happens when students take ownership of the learning process. As an educator, helping every student take that ownership is my ongoing challenge and I try to serve my students as a facilitator of knowledge and try to help them learn with each other.”