San Bernardino, Ca – Kathleen Devlin, a full-time instructor in Cal State San Bernardino’s College of Natural Sciences, has been named the university’s Outstanding Lecturer for 2017-18.

Devlin, who began teaching at CSUSB in 1997, was teaching her class on science, computing and society on Tuesday, May 1, when CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, accompanied by senior administrators, selection committee members and fellow faculty members, stepped into her classroom to make the surprise announcement that she had won the award.

“She not only is an outstanding teacher who really connects well with her students,” said Morales during the surprise, “but she has taught an incredible range of courses here at CSUSB.”

“It’s what I love,” said a near-speechless Devlin when referring to her work at CSUSB. “I appreciate it, definitely.”

In a letter to the president, the nominating committee wrote, “Lecturers play a vital role in the teaching mission of CSUSB, and we are proud to recommend someone as skilled at teaching and devoted to her students’ learning as Ms. Devlin.”

Devlin has taught a wide array of courses at CSUSB. She began in computer science and, over the years, has added courses in biology and physics. Many of her courses are high enrollment, and she routinely teaches over 500 students each quarter.

“Nobody in the entire university teaches a greater range of courses than she does, and she does it in really large courses, so every year at graduation, fully 80 to 90 percent of the students who graduate from the College of Natural Sciences had her as an instructor,” said Stuart Sumida, professor in the biology department. “No faculty member here — lecturer or tenured-track faculty member — touches more students than Kathleen does.”

Several students have stated in class evaluations that she makes “an extremely difficult course understandable” and that she applies “subject matter to everyday life so that it is easier to understand and follow.” Students also appreciate her “providing extra time outside of office hours to meet with students.” She is described by her students as having the “perfect teaching voice, skills and methods” and as “the best instructor ever” and “she made this my favorite class at CSUSB.” It was not only the positive comments made in teaching evaluations that impressed the committee, but also the volume of letters of support from students submitted along with her nomination.

Her service activities include providing science lessons to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, serving as a science fair judge at San Bernardino’s Our Lady of the Assumption School, and serving as an academic decathlon science coach in the San Bernardino Diocese Catholic Schools.

Devlin received her undergraduate and graduate education at CSUSB: a bachelor’s in business administration and accounting, as well as an MBA. She is also scheduled to earn her M.S. in biology this year.

Devlin will be recognized at this year’s commencement ceremony at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario and will be honored at the annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon.

For an electronic image of Kathleen Devlin and more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.

About Cal State San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, the university serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. The university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master’s degree programs, education credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate program in educational leadership. Every one of its academic programs that is eligible has earned national accreditation. CSUSB reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire. More than 80 percent of those who graduate are the first in their families to do so.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.