St. Joseph, Mo. – Dr. Pam Clary is Missouri Western State University’s recipient of the 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education.

According to a press release from Missouri Western, Dr. Clary, assistant professor and director of social work, received her award at a luncheon with Lt. Gov. Mike Parson in Jefferson City last week.

“Dr. Pam Clary has a reputation as an excellent teacher, academic advisor, mentor and social worker,” reads her award nomination. “She employs a variety of teaching strategies that engage students in active learning and students benefit from her push for them to reach their potential.”

Dr. Clary’s teaching and advising of social work students at Missouri Western has influenced them to become service-minded professionals. She is the faculty advisor for the campus Organization of Student Social Workers which recently received the 2017 award for Best Fundraising Event by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness for their Walk Against Hunger event that raised thousands of dollars locally.

Dr. Clary has been on Missouri Western’s faculty since 2007. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas State University, her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and her Ph.D. from Kansas State University. In addition to her teaching experience, she has more than 17 years of direct clinical experience.

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education is given annually to one faculty member from each public university across the state.