Each year, students, faculty and alumni nominate teachers who’ve inspired them and made an impact in their lives for the Best Teacher Awards. Eric Ishiwata is one of six recipients of the 2022 Best Teacher Award. Recipients will be celebrated on March 30 at the Best Teacher Awards banquet.
A humanitarian in every sense of the word
An associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies, as well as a diversity, equity, and inclusion Extension specialist for the Office of Engagement and Extension, Eric Ishiwata received his B.A. from CSU in 1997 and focuses his work on supporting immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking workers throughout Colorado. For 16 years, he has advocated fiercely for his students while simultaneously pushing them to reach their full potential. A humanitarian in every sense of the word, Eric sits on a myriad of committees and boards devoted to engaging and uplifting typically underrepresented communities, while also searching for ways to connect first-generation undergraduate students to community-engaged work. He cites the growing crew of talented, hardworking former students who are having tangible impacts on the communities they serve as one of his greatest achievements as an educator.
Eric is a tireless advocate who is always finding ways to help his students and doing work that puts CSU in a great light. I am constantly in awe of him and hope that one day I will have the impacts he has on his students and community.
– Benjamin Schrader, Director, Adult Learner and Veteran Services (B.A., ’09; M.A. ’11)
Attend the banquet
Organized by the Colorado State University Alumni Association, the Best Teacher Awards banquet will be held on Wednesday, March 30, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Theater. Event tickets are available – $5 for students, $15 for Alumni Association members, and $20 for nonmembers. Tickets include a plated dinner and dessert. Register to attend and learn more about the other award winners here.
