Bridget Smith-Konter

Dr. Bridget Smith-Konter of Geophysics is masterful at connecting with students of all academic interests, abilities, learning styles and personal backgrounds. Her classes are dynamic learning experiences that mix lectures with interactive Q&A sessions highlighted with stunning still or animated imagery, and punctuated with short videos and group activities. One student says “most noteworthy, she makes us feel like a value addition to a research team and as a human being in her life.” Outside the classroom, extending across campus and into the community “her contributions and influence on STEM education is truly extraordinary and may well be unmatched.” She leads by example and brings her heart into all her university and community projects. Her endeavors to “make Earth Science accessible to underrepresented groups including native Hawaiians are pertinent to an enriched and sustainable livelihood within Hawaiʻi.” It is testament to her quality as an educator that she can communicate scientific principles to a diverse range of people, effectively tailoring information and learning from her audience in return.