Pamela Chasek receives Kakos Excellence in Scholarship Award.
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By Leyla J. Mercado, Assistant News Editor
Pamela Chasek, Ph.D., professor of political science at Manhattan University, is one of three Kakos School of Arts and Sciences professors honored with an Excellence Award. Chasek will receive the Kakos Excellence in Scholarship Award for service and teaching. The other honored professors are expected to receive their awards in the spring semester.
The award is representative of Chasek’s work in academia, as it recognizes her contribution and commitment to MU’s current and future generations of scholars.
While balancing teaching her classes, she’s also authored multiple other projects as well as led international environmental meetings to showcase her scholarship.
Chasek, who’s currently writing two books while on sabbatical, shared what receiving this award means to her, and further discussed the impact of the academic community and colleagues who have supported her over the years.
“It’s exciting to see your work recognized,” Chasek said. “People see your teaching everyday, people see you in the office everyday, but not everybody reads your scholarship because we all have our own specialties. I’ve been recognized by the International Studies Association, when I won a Distinguished Scholar Award from them two years ago, but it is good to know that my Manhattan colleagues recognize the work I’ve done.”
Chasek’s work has not only played a vital role at MU, but beyond the world of academia as well, which is extremely important to her through personal efforts and her educational mission.
“From my point of view it’s really important to write policy-relevant pieces that are not only being read by other academics, but also being read by policymakers, by people of the United Nations, by people in government, and non-governmental organizations,” Chasek said. “I think it’s important to write things that are relevant beyond just academia. Getting citations is fine, but actually having people put to use what you wrote is really important. I try to write things that are relevant to people both inside and outside academia.”
Chasek’s effect on the educational landscape has been significant on students surrounding her as well. Mohammed Matabbar, an MU senior who majors in political science, further discussed Chasek’s long-lasting impact.
“Dr. Chasek deserves this award because of her passion and dedication to the field,” Matabbar said. ”She’s played a pivotal role in mentoring me and guiding me throughout undergrad and now into law school. She’s been a remarkable and inspirational figure in my educational journey and with her guidance in Model UN and pre-law advising. I don’t know where I would be without her. I’ll forever be extremely grateful.”
Matabbar fostered a great sense of professional and personal growth through connecting with Chasek. He went on to tell The Quadrangle more about her one of a one-of-a-kind persona.
“There’s so much that makes her standout,” Matabbar said. “She truly is exceptional in all aspects. There are countless other individuals, students, alumni and even faculty who can proudly say the same. Her approach has left such a lasting impression on many, whether academically or personally. Through her genuine care and personal investment, her respect and passion resonates far beyond the classroom.”
Jazi Riley, a senior and double major in political science and philosophy, reflected on Chasek’s scholarship and persona and what it meant to her throughout her undergraduate experience.
“Personally, she’s been a professor that I’ve gotten close to because she allows us to,” Riley said. “I think that shows that those student relationships are meaningful, full of respect, and she sees us as individuals. Our relationship has allowed me to want to seek out career connections. There are people in the United Nations, and things I feel I’d be intimidated to reach out to, but because a successful woman has given us confidence and emboldened us to engage so much, I think it’s a confidence booster.”
Riley went on to mention that Chasek has been vastly different from any other professor or scholar she’s encountered.
“She’s tenacious,” Riley said. “She has a fiery and fierce energy to her. When she walks in the room and she’s present you know it. She’s actually one of the first professors who even though we have a personal relationship, she grades you harder because of it. Dr. Chasek has made me a harder worker.”
As Chasek’s impact to those around her has been proven to be undeniable, she elaborated on what these years of scholarship have left her with.
“What I wished I had known was the challenge of balancing everything,” Chasek said.
“You have to balance your teaching, your scholarship, your service to the university, and your home life. The one piece of advice I give to everyone is that it really does take a village to raise your kids, and you need a support network both at work and elsewhere. Having a group of people who you collaborate with in writing and in scholarship is also really important.”
Chasek also went on to discuss her upcoming career plans and the lasting influence she hopes to leave on the student body.
“I’m working on two books now,” Chasek said. “Plus, I have a chapter coming out in another edited volume. I’m hoping that the next edition of our Global Environmental Politics textbook will continue to inspire people around the world to get interested in these topics. Everything I write about comes into my classroom one way or another. The people I’ve met along the way, the writing I’ve done, all of that comes into the classroom and hopefully it’ll inspire students to go into this field.”