UAB Disability Support Services recently named the winners of its Spring 2017 Faculty Awards. Every year, two faculty members are selected by students and through a vetting process of the professional staff in DSS.

Sarah Culver, Ph.D., was awarded the DSS Staff Recognition Award. She is an associate professor of Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics in the Collat School of Business and has worked closely with DSS ensuring students receive their accommodations in the classroom.

“Dr. Culver has been a fantastic help in the launch of the new DSS Faculty Portal and has provided constructive feedback for DSS,” said DSS office manager Ashleigh Johnson. “Dr. Culver regularly contacts DSS when she has questions or concerns in an effort to make her classroom a safe and accessible environment.”

Samiksha Raut, Ph.D., received the DSS Outstanding Faculty Award. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and is the advisor for a new disability advocacy group on campus. One student nominator wrote, “From the first day of classes Dr. Raut was accommodating to all students in her class, but especially to those registered with DSS. She requested that we come and meet with her on an individual basis to discuss what accommodations we would require. Dr. Raut is compassionate, considerate, and incredibly understanding of all students but specifically accommodates students who are registered to DSS.”

The office of DSS selects faculty members to honor after each spring semester. The winners are selected or nominated by students who have had these educators in class and feel they have made accommodations to meet the needs of their students.