Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Engineering & Science
2015
Bio:
Dr. Kendra Evans began her career at University of Detroit Mercy in the autumn of 2009. During that time, she has proven herself a consummate academic professional, excelling as an educator, mentor, scholar and servant leader.
Dr. Evans is well respected and liked, receiving exceptionally high ratings from her students. This is particularly important when teaching large lectures and labs in General Chemistry. While some students view these courses as “cattle calls” for science and pre-professional majors, Professor Evans has developed and implemented instructional methods to better connect with her students. Dr. Evans has also generated new course content, teaching, an advanced course in Analytical Chemistry for Biomolecules to seniors and graduate students and an upper-level Instrumentation lecture/lab for Chemistry major.
Dr. Kendra Evans exemplifies the Mission and Vision of UDM. Professor Evans is a very active academic advisor to more than 30 students annually, and she has been co-advisor to the Chemistry Club since 2011. She volunteers her time with the Chemistry Club through science-based outreach programs including chemical demonstration shows, Girl and Boy Scout merit badges clinics, and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program. Dr. Evans is also a committed church member who helps in the nursery, serves on the Outreach Committee and participates in a Bible study group.
Dr. Evans has actively sought external funding from the National Institutes of Health for her work with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which she uses to measure insulin secretion, to monitor environmental contaminants, and to track the progress of chemical reactions. She has maintained a research group with four to nine undergraduate students for the last six years and has mentored many students in the presentation of their results at national meetings of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Dr. Evans is currently editing a book about environmental chemistry for the ACS.
Dr. Evans has gained the recognition and respect of her Department, College and University colleagues by serving on the College of Engineering & Science Safety Committee, the McNichols Faculty Assembly (MFA), the Undergraduate Standards Committee of the MFA, and the University of Detroit Mercy Professors’ Union (UDMPU) Board. Moreover, she does not just serve, but enthusiastically contributes to conversations about chemical safety, pedagogy, curricular policy and matters of importance to faculty. Dr. Evans also serves as Vice President for the Association of Analytical Chemists (ANACHEM).
At the time of her employment, several graduating seniors who were part of the interview process commented that they knew Dr. Evans would be an excellent fit for the Department, the College of Engineering & Science, and UDM. Their prediction came true. The University is very fortunate to have a professor like Dr. Kendra Evans in its ranks, and she is deserving of the 2015 Faculty Achievement Award.
Dr. Evan was presented by Pamela Zarkowski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Achievement Award was conferred by Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi, President of University of Detroit Mercy on November 6, 2015.