Richelle Williams, assistant professor of athletic training in Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was named the Educator of the Year at the Iowa Athletic Trainers’ Society (IATS) Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 26, 2023. The Educator of the Year Award honors members of the IATS who have demonstrated outstanding abilities in educating future athletic trainers either at the high school or college/university levels.
Dr. Williams joined the CPHS Master of Athletic Training (MAT) faculty in 2019. She has consistently received high evaluations from students, often receiving the highest score possible. Students also provide qualitative feedback on Dr. Williams’ ability to deliver course materials in a way that meets their learning needs.
Dr. Williams currently teaches various courses in the MAT curriculum including Orthopedic Evaluation and Physical Rehabilitation, Healthcare Systems and Policy, Patient-Centered Approach to Quality Healthcare, and Research.
As a testament to her outstanding educational abilities, Dr. Williams mentors students in research and other achievements. She was instrumental to a student in the second cohort of the program receiving a Best Manuscript Award from the National Athletic Training Association (NATA). Three students from the same cohort also competed as a team and placed in the top five teams at the 2022 NATA Quiz Bowl Championship.
Dr. Williams is the second faculty member from Drake University to be named the IATS Educator of the Year. She joins MAT chair and professor Nate Newman, who received the award in 2012.
“Having quality educators like Richelle the past few years while we started a new MAT program has been essential to our success,” said Newman. “It is wonderful to see her recognized – our students’ strong performances in the first few years of our program have been noteworthy and she is part of the reason for their success.”
Learn more about Dr. Richelle Williams and her teaching philosophy here.