News
Pettes Guikema wins Georges J. Joyaux Post-Secondary Educator Award
October 24, 2019
Dr. Janel Pettes Guikema, associate professor of French in Grand Valley State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, received the Michigan World Language Association’s (MIWLA) Georges J. Joyaux Post-Secondary Educator Award October 24 at MIWLA’s annual conference in Lansing.
The Georges J. Joyaux Award is given to an outstanding post-secondary faculty member or administrator who is committed to the principle of expanding Americans’ understanding of world languages and cultures to enhance their standing in education, culture, and business in the world.
Pettes Guikema’s nomination received the enthusiastic support of colleagues who recognized her “outstanding work in the areas of promoting world language learning, continued professional growth, and service to the profession, MIWLA, students, and the university”. They cited her advocacy efforts on behalf of local high school French programs, innovative use of technology in language teaching, and her impact on the profession as a trainer of future language teachers in support of her nomination.
The Michigan World Language Association is a state association for language education professionals from all levels of instruction and representing all languages. MIWLA supports and promotes world language education through innovative opportunities for professional development and networking, and seeks to advance world language proficiency for all students. More information can be found at miwla.org.