Marcus Receives Poole and Kent Senior Faculty Teaching Award

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Dr. Steve Marcus

Professor Steven Marcus (ECE/ISR) has been awarded the 2013 Poole and Kent Senior Faculty Teaching Award. He was selected for this award in recognition of his contributions to the Clark School of Engineering as an exceptional engineering educator, and presented with the award at the Commencement Ceremony on May 20, 2013.

Professor Marcus has been teaching at the University of Maryland for more than 22 years as a Professor in both the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Institute for Systems Research. During ten of those years he served as either Director of ISR or Chair of ECE. Professor Marcus receives accolades regarding his teaching style from undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, department chairs, and Dean Pines.

Most notably, Dr. Marcus has rejuvenated key electrical and computer engineering courses in stochastic control and signal and system theory earning consistently high course evaluation ratings. In 2007, Dr. Marcus challenged himself as a professor—taking a sabbatical to create ENES 602 Effective Teaching Techniques, an innovative course for the inception of the Clark School’s Future Faculty Program. Regarding this course, Marcus said, “This was a huge amount of work and a real stretch for me….It was the first “non-technical” course I have taught; this was very exciting for me.” ENES 602 covers topics like Teaching Philosophy, Syllabi, Lecturing, Active and Cooperative Learning, Grading and Classroom Assessment, Listening and Communication, and Diversity Issues.”

Marcus attributes some of his teaching success to the development of this course. He said, “Teaching this course has been a wonderful learning opportunity for me and has been very gratifying; in addition what I have learned and taught in this course has informed my teaching in other courses.” Open-door office hours, an educational innovation for which Dr. Marcus is well-known, has stemmed from the instruction of ENES 602. Dr. Marcus invites his students to office hours; encouraging as many as possible to come, work problems, ask questions, and learn from each other. His office hours morph into mini-recitation sessions and are oft-mentioned in his course evaluations. A rising senior who recently took 322 said, “He encouraged students who didn’t have specific questions, or were too shy to speak up, to come to office hours…Dr. Marcus was always willing to explain concepts, and never rushed students or gave the appearance of being too busy.”

“It is obvious Steve has inspired many students and has always been available to them. He comes across as a scholar and a caring individual.  In this day and age, when students demand the best from teachers, Steve has always delivered.” Dr. Rama Chellappa, Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

 Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Dr. Rama Chellappa, summarized the contributions of Dr. Marcus, “It is obvious Steve has inspired many students and has always been available to them. He comes across as a scholar and a caring individual.  In this day and age, when students demand the best from teachers, Steve has always delivered.”

Marcus currently serves as Director of Faculty Leadership for the campus, developing strategies for mentorship of junior and senior faculty and for developing and supporting faculty leaders throughout the university. 

"I am very pleased to congratulate Steve for this significant recognition of his outstanding teaching record in the Clark School," said Dean Dr. Darryll Pines.

For more information about Professor Marcus and his accomplishments as a teacher, scholar, and researcher, visit: http://www.ece.umd.edu/meet/faculty/marcus.php3

Published May 22, 2013