Debbie Faires, assistant director for distance learning and full-time San José State University School of Information lecturer, has been named Outstanding Lecturer for the College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA) [Award criteria: CASA Outstanding Lecturer Award]. She is being recognized primarily for two reasons: her teaching ability and her leadership in distance learning for the School, the College and the University. The award will be presented on May 5.

Faires earned her MLIS at San José State University in 2001. After completing the MLIS, she worked for the SJSU School of Library and Information Science in the areas of Web administration and faculty support in a professional staff position. In 2006, Faires became a full-time lecturer, teaching graduate courses and workshops on leading edge tools and technologies.

Debbie Faires demonstrates consistently exceptional performance in teaching. Her Student Opinions of Teaching Effectiveness (SOTEs) are excellent. She is the main faculty member responsible for training students and faculty in the use of newer technologies for learning. She recruits, selects, trains and supervises student mentors for both students and faculty: the School has been cited for its innovative and highly effective approach to using graduate students to mentor faculty in using tools for teaching and learning. Faires is faculty advisor to the American Library Association Student Chapter (ALA/SC) for the School.