Date: 04/14/2004
Anthropology Professor Jan English-Lueck, SJSU's 2003-04 Outstanding Professor, consistently receives high marks from her student evaluations. For example, graduate student James Battle describes her this way:
"Professor English-Lueck fights tirelessly and valiantly for her students -- our dreams, aspirations, and goals, while constantly raising the bar of academic and intellectual rigor higher and higher, creating space for greater student achievement and self development," Battle says. "I can honestly state that I have learned more about anthropology, life, and service, as well as grown and flourished more academically and personally, through my association with Professor English-Lueck than with any other professor I have known."
Another graduate student, Mary McCuistion, responds, "I was impressed with the professionalism that Professor English-Lueck exhibited during the class. I also appreciated the high expectations she had for students. She challenged the class to perform beyond what they believed possible."
"During my years at SJSU, I have actively worked to grow as a teacher," English-Lueck says. "I do not believe that education is a form of consumption, with professors pouring static information into the minds of students. Instead, I have found that students and faculty create knowledge together, blending theoretical, experiential and practical intelligence."
A faculty member since 1991, English-Lueck has taught a wide range of courses, many that she developed herself or with colleagues at SJSU. Her research areas include cultural futures, innovations and identities, and work, family and community issues.
"Jan is an outstanding and innovative teacher who has specifically developed ways to enable her students to participate in her nationally renowned research projects," says colleague Professor James M. Freeman.
English-Lueck's research and fieldwork experience has been recognized internationally with her best-known work, the Silicon Valley Cultures Project, which was developed with her colleagues Chuck Darrah and Freeman. The project is described in her latest book, Cultures@Silicon Valley.
A popular speaker at professional conferences, English-Lueck has written several academic books, textbooks, teaching manuals, and numerous articles, book chapters, book reviews, and reports. She has received numerous awards and grants for her teaching and scholarly activities, including the prestigious Fulbright Teaching-Research Grant for the University of Hong Kong in 1993-94 and SJSU's Presidential Merit Award in both 2001 and 2000.
Outside of the university, English-Lueck has also served as visiting lecturer at Stanford University Continuing Studies. She is president of the Southwestern Anthropological Association and a member of the Society for Applied Anthropology. In addition, she is an advisor to the Professional Business Women of California and History San José.
"Jan is a model for us all -- an outstanding teacher, scholar, administrator and colleague," political science Professor Terry Christensen says.
print
email
