Pittsburg State has nominated four employees for recognition from the Kansas Board of Regents. The faculty nominees are nursing professor, Dr. Karen Johnson; communication professor, Dr. Megan Westhoff; chemistry instructor, Dr. Kristopher Mijares; and the staff nominee is Jamie Rink director of Student Financial Assistance.
When Johnson opened the email telling her she had been named Faculty of the Year by the Kansas Board of Regents, she could not believe it.
“I was beyond shocked,” Johnson said. “For the first couple of weeks, I thought it was a mistake. It felt like an out-of-body experience. I knew I had been nominated, but I just couldn’t believe it.”
For Johnson, the recognition is rewarding both personally and professionally.
“Personally, it’s rewarding because I spend a lot of time and effort in my job, and I don’t feel like it’s a job,” Johnson said. “It’s part of my passion and purpose. Professionally, it’s something I can include in my promotion and tenure application. Being nominated by my colleagues is quite the honor.”
Johnson’s mentorship is central to her work in every class and clinical experience.
“It’s rewarding to see students grow, not just in skills but in confidence,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we don’t talk about our own accomplishments, so it’s nice to know others see the work we put in. Helping students navigate challenges and discover their strengths is the most fulfilling part of my job.”
Westhoff had a similar mix of shock and excitement when she found out about her recognition. Westhoff said the path to teaching was unexpected.
“I thought I’d never teach in front of people,” Westhoff said. “I like to perform as a character, but being myself? Heck no. But I fell in love with it in one week.”
Westhoff’s teaching philosophy focuses on passion, diversity, and creativity.
“I want my students to go out and make the world a better place,” Westhoff said. “To find their place but also give back. Theater teaches empathy. You step into characters you’d never meet otherwise, and that changes how you see the world.”
Westhoff’s mentorship goes beyond the classroom and the stage.
“Getting to know students one-on-one is the best part,” Westhoff said. “During rehearsals and workdays, you see what drives them and help them find their voice.”
The 10th anniversary season at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts highlighted Westhoff’s approach, mixing alumni participation with student productions.
“It was exciting for students to see the paths others have taken,” Westhoff said. “A degree doesn’t limit you to one career.”
Westhoff also experiments with AI in theater, exploring new ways to create stage experiences while keeping ethics in mind.
“We don’t want to replace artists or take someone’s work,” Westhoff said. “It’s about opening possibilities in a responsible way.”
Westhoff shared advice for students about the “magic” of opportunity.
“Try everything. Don’t turn down opportunities,” Westhoff said. “You never know the people you’ll meet or the doors that will open. It’s always kind of magical that way.”