Mark Berczynski
The awardee for 2021-2022 is Professor Mark Berczynski, Lecturer, Engineering and Computing Education. Professor Berczynski’s teaching experiences with an innovative course like COMP 101Y touches many students who are still trying to decide their future direction while learning how to be a successful student. The strategies he utilizes in his teaching supports students’ development as learners and as UMBC community members. His ability to combine the recognition that all first-year students are individuals with how and what he teaches exemplifies how teaching can meet students where they are.
Like all of our award recipients, he says it best. “I believe education in computing and technology cannot be taught without exploring the larger sociological, ethical, and moralistic context therein. To begin a discussion, I often ask a question that requires students to reflect on their own use of a technology in the context of current legislative debate, product developments or service updates, or recent reporting in the news. Where possible, I cite from multiple reported sources and from several dates, so that discussion of any one issue exists within a greater context of reporting and so that biases or ignorance in reporting are more apparent. My goal is not to lecture; I want students to challenge the ideas and engage in discourse.”
“I took COMP101Y with Mark Berczynski (known to his students as Prof B) in fall 2019, and that was the course that really sparked my excitement for the CMSC major. Walking into his classroom and hearing him speak instantly made me feel ready to learn, as his energy and evident excitement to teach is apparent to all. His explanations are always clear and precise, and he actively strives to make sure that not a single student is left behind. It felt as though he wanted to connect with students one-on-one as well, and very genuinely took an interest in every individual.”
~ Former student of Dr. Berczynski
As we recognize our three awardees, Dr. Jamie Gurganus, (https://cirtl.umbc.edu/leadership-team) Dr. Jonathan Zwi, (https://www.jonzwi.com), and Professor Mark Berczynski, (https://coeit.umbc.edu/ecep), it is of note that these three recipients have engaged with our Introduction to an Honors University Seminar, our First-Year Seminar Program, and our Transfer Seminar Program, and that the breadth of their responsibilities and contributions to UMBC exemplifies how students benefit, on every level, by being connected to extraordinary teaching faculty.
3/31/2023