Instructional associate professor of digital media Monika Alters has been awarded the 2024 Hartman/Dennis Service to Education Award by the Graphic Communications Education Association (GCEA), of which she has been a member for 24 years.
The GCEA is a cooperative effort of educators "in partnership with industry, dedicated to sharing theories, principles, techniques and processes relating to graphic communications and imaging technology."
Established in 1975, the Hartman/Dennis Award is bestowed each year to recognize a GCEA member who has "devoted many years of service to the Association, and in addition, is nationally recognized through contributions and accomplishments in graphic arts teaching, research and/or service."
In 2007, Alters was preceded in this particular honor by Emeritus Professor Jerry Waite, EdD, with whom she helped to establish Digital Media as a major degree plan in what was then the College of Technology.
"It's really an honor to receive this award," said Alters.
Throughout her years of membership, Alters has served GCEA in multiple officer positions, including President, Vice President of Communications, and Chair of Graphic Communications Week, among others. During her time as President from 2013-2015, Alters oversaw the rebranding of what was originally the International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA) into the current GCEA. In 2021, she served as Conference Host for the 96th Annual GCEA Conference, coining the conference's slogan and overseeing preparations and event operations.
Alters also received a Teaching Excellence Award in Innovation in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston in 2023. This award is given to faculty to have demonstrated excellence in innovative teaching using instructional technology.
"Our major is evolving," Alters said. "I look forward to teaming up with additional industry partners to support my students in their project work, which is something I try to focus on when bringing in client partners in our students' senior year."
Alters "also look[s] forward to continuing to seek out new opportunities for growth to serve and support the GCEA, the University of Houston, college, department and [her] students."