Possibly for the first time ever, two winners were announced to receive one of the Turner College's faculty awards as both Turner College associate professor of accounting Charles Boster and TSYS School cybersecurity lecturer Elke Brumbaugh took home the 2026 Turner College Excellence in Teaching Award. Since joining the Turner College just a few years ago, accounting professor Boster has steadily built an impressive record in accounting education. He uses classroom examples and cases to encourage discussion of topics. This approach develops student confidence and encourages problem solving based upon creative thinking. The assessments utilized by Boster primarily focus on a group project culminating in a written report and project presentation. Students are encouraged to integrate technology such as artificial intelligence, spreadsheets, word processors, and presentation software for efficiency in research and communication. In line with continuous improvement approaches, students complete and receive feedback on subsections of the project throughout the semester and are allowed to revise work until the final submission is due. Ultimately, Boster succeeds as an accounting educator because his goals for the student are quite simple. "I want students to gain an understanding of core course concepts to facilitate communication and performance in their futures. While roles in the community and definitions of success differ, I want every student to appreciate the perspective of others and become life-long learners," Boster concludes. Boster's recipe for success typically has his students rate his teaching effectiveness at 4.8 (out of 5) or above.
Based on a teaching philosophy is centered on creating transformative learning experiences that actively engage students, foster confidence, and prepare them for success in the cybersecurity workforce, TSYYS School cybersecurity lecturer Brumbaugh immerses her students in authentic, hands-on environments, supported through mentorship, in order to expose them to real world applications of their studies. For example, students in her CPSC 1301 course had the option to design and program a robot as their final project. Brumbaugh found that this hands-on approach concepts in a practical context. In other courses she integrated extensive industry engagement by hosting over 50 guest speakers from the cybersecurity field. These professionals provided students with authentic insights into the realities of cybersecurity practice, including workplace expectations, required technical and professional competencies, and the dynamic nature of real-world problem-solving. Through practice Brumbaugh has also found that mock interviews are an effective pedagogical tool that bridges theoretical learning with real-world application. By simulating authentic interview scenarios, they provide students with experiential learning opportunities that reinforce course concepts such as communication, professionalism, and critical thinking. Brumbaugh's CYNX 2159 students are also exposed to an experiential learning opportunity wherein the CSU Network Engineer leads a guided tour of CSU’s server and networking infrastructure. During this engagement, students are introduced to the design, implementation, and management of an enterprise-level network environment, while also having the opportunity to engage directly with a practicing professional in the field. Lastly, Brumbaugh's CYNX 2160 students encounter a field-based experiential learning opportunity through a visit to the FIS Security Operations Center (SOC). This experience provides students with direct exposure to an enterprise-level SOC environment, where they observe real-time security operations and engage with cybersecurity professionals. As Brumbaugh explains, "These experiences provide students with tangible connections between classroom instruction and operational environments, reinforcing their understanding and inspiring career pathways." Turner Business congratulates these two outstanding educators.
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