Preeti has been teaching at SUNY Maritime College since 2008 and has been honoured for her excellence in teaching and consistently going beyond what is expected of her at her college.  Though adjunct faculty are not required to hold open office hours, she has an open-door policy for her students and is available 4-5 hours a week. She also holds review sessions, even on the weekends, before final exams that are open not only to her students, but to all taking the same course. When her students graduate, she is there to watch them walk across the stage.

Beyond teaching her students, Parikh works to better understand the effect of technology on the learning process. She has published and presented a paper with Yaqub Amani, engineering professor, examining different theories. She has integrated technology, from using graphing calculators to industry-specific software, into her classes to better prepare her students to enter the workforce.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher congratulated Preeti saying, “Your mastery of teaching, dedication to students, adherence to the highest academic standards, and continued professional achievements are reflected in your selection for this honor. Your continuing contributions to SUNY are a source of great pride and inspiration for us all.”  She also said, “This award’s rigorous selection criteria ensure that only those faculty members who have consistently demonstrated superb skill in teaching receive this distinction.”  

Parikh received the award from college president Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis and Joseph Hoffman, interim provost, during a faculty meeting.

Kathy Olszewski, Preeti’s supervisor and science department chair said, “Preeti’s underlying goal is to bring out the best in her students and give them a positive outlook on the subject being taught and life in general. Throughout her highly interactive lectures, Preeti encourages students to overcome mental blocks in mathematics and try their best.”  Additionally, she states, “Preeti has demonstrated unparalleled enthusiasm, commitment and passion for what she does which far surpasses what is required of her. She is the type of adjunct faculty member that every college loves to have but that is almost impossible to find.”

 

Prior to SUNY Maritime, Preeti taught at Baruch College (New York, NY), Hudson Montessori School (New Rochelle, NY) and Greenlawns High School (Mumbai, India). She also worked as a computer programmer for research projects at New York University School of Medicine (New York, NY) and New York University School of Law (New York, NY).