Dr. Samantha Cass awarded Distinguished Academic Staff award, a prestigious university honor

April 22, 2025 - Adrianna Orlando

Dr. Samantha Cass, a chemistry faculty member at Lyman Briggs College, has received Michigan State University's Distinguished Academic Staff Award, recognizing her exemplary commitment to student learning, mentorship and curricular innovation. 

The Distinguished Academic Staff Award is one of MSU’s most prestigious honors, presented annually to a select group of academic staff members who have demonstrated exceptional service in teaching, outreach, advising, program development and/or administration. Recipients are chosen for their sustained excellence and significant contributions to the university’s mission. 

Cass has been a faculty member at LBC since 2009 and has been an academic specialist since 2014. For this award, nominators recognized Cass for her leadership in enhancing interdisciplinary science education and for her efforts to create inclusive, student-centered learning environments. Her innovative teaching methods and dedication to mentoring students have made a lasting impact on the Lyman Briggs community. Cass works continuously to help her students succeed not only in their courses but in their college careers in general.  

“In each course, Cass maintains an energetic active-learning, student-centered approach to instruction, highlighting the relevance of the material to everyday life and society as a whole,” says LBC Dean Kendra Spence Cheruvelil.  

Cass was honored at MSU’s annual All-University Awards Convocation on Monday, April 7, 2025.