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University Park, PA
Pranav Diwakar, an Eberly College of Science graduate student, has been awarded the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award by Penn State. This award is sponsored jointly by the J. Jeffery and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, through the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award endowment, and the Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education.
Diwakar is a graduate student in physics in the lab of Radu Roiban, professor of physics. He has served as a TA for five courses over 14 semesters ranging from the 200 to 500 level. Beyond teaching courses at University Park, Diwakar has also taught Penn State World Campus classes for three semesters.
“Pranav is always willing to answer students’ equations with in-depth explanations in a way that does not put down nor discourage students. He frequently checks in with students to make sure they are understanding the material and relates to them when they are struggling to understand a topic,” said an undergraduate student in a teaching evaluation.
Diwakar has also served as a mentor for fellow graduate students, serving as the TA for two graduate courses.
Penn State recognizes and awards students who have served as graduate teaching assistants (TAs) for at least two semesters within the last two years. These students, in their time as graduate teaching assistants, have demonstrated outstanding teaching performance and were nominated by a faculty or staff member for their excellence.
“[Pranav] is also an outstanding member of the department community, always dedicated to helping others and enhancing other students’ educational experience,” said Irina Mocioiu, associated professor of physics and director of graduate students, in a nomination letter. “Pranav volunteers as a peer mentor for more junior graduate students. He also consistently volunteers to participate in undergraduate physics courses like the first-year seminar or the career options course, where he shares his own experience in an encouraging and inspiring way.”
“Mr. Diwakar has always excelled in the teaching and service duties associated with being a TA. From my interactions with him, Mr. Diwakar is clearly a passionate and dedicated educator,” said Daniel Constantino, teaching professor of physics, in a nomination letter.
