“His support has had a big impact on my academic journey.” ND-ACES researcher Nicholas Galt wins two teaching awards

Valley City State University science professor and ND-ACES researcher Nicholas Galt has been awarded not one but two accolades from his campus community. Faculty members chose him for the 2024-25 VCSU Faculty Excellence Award, and the VCSU Student Senate awarded him Teacher of the Year.

Galt’s VCSU colleague Hilde van Gijssel believes both awards are well deserved. “Nick is my ‘co-captain’ for the health science program, which is for students interested in a career in healthcare related fields,” van Gijssel said. “He and I also work together on the research supported by ND-ACES.”

Van Gijssel said Galt was chosen for both awards “because he is a genuinely nice person who cares about the welfare of the students and his colleagues. He stepped in when the department needed a department chair. His contributions to the science department and the health science program are invaluable.”

Jocelyn Kriewald and Sabrina Volk are VCSU seniors set to graduate with a degree in health science. Both have taken Galt’s classes and worked with him on ND-ACES research projects.

“Dr. Galt is an amazing professor and truly deserves these awards,” said Kriewald. “He is very good at explaining topics in a way that helps us understand the material better and actually learn it. He truly cares if we’re learning, both in class and in research. He makes an effort to connect with students and encourages discussion. Dr. Galt makes complex topics feel approachable, especially while working with him during research.

“When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in the future, he listened, helped me talk through my options, and shared his own experiences. He is the kind of professor who makes you feel like your goals are possible. He is genuinely supportive of my ambitions, and his support has had a big impact on my academic journey.”

“He has been an excellent professor and mentor in the lab as well as in the classroom,” said Volk. “If he doesn't understand, then he does the work to see and understand from the student's point of view. No matter where I go, I do feel as though Dr. Galt would support me as he just wants the best for the student academically but also as a person too.”

Galt said he is honored and humbled to receive these awards. “I am incredibly fortunate to have the best job in the world, thanks to my amazing students, colleagues, and campus community here at Valley City State University.”

Congratulations to Nicholas Galt from ND EPSCoR on being recognized for your contributions to VCSU.