Department of Kinesiology and Health Education Professor Mary Steinhardt was awarded the 2017 Civitatis Award for outstanding faculty citizenship.
Civitatis Award winners are nominated by faculty members and presented with the award by the president of the University of Texas at Austin to recognize outstanding faculty citizenship of dedicated and meritorious service that goes above and beyond the regular expectations of teaching, research, and writing.
As a faculty member for 31 years, Steinhardt has also served as the university’s faculty ombudsperson for nine years in addition to her research.
“Professor Steinhardt brings her distinct research expertise and a deep sense of empathy and calm to create a space for faculty to voice their concerns safely, clarify desired outcomes, think through difficult situations, develop options, and problem-solve,” said Faculty Council Chair Stephen Hoelscher.
Steinhardt’s research focuses on the determinants and methods for building resilience and strength when challenged with change and stressful situations. Her current research projects promote resilience-based diabetes self-management programs for African Americans, reducing teacher burnout among public school teachers, and enhancing the resilience of military soldiers and their families.
Said Hoelscher, “During a long and distinguished career, she has maintained a high profile as an outstanding scholar, securing more than $2 million in grants from such organizations as the National Institutes of Health and St. David’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to promote her ambitious research agenda.”
