Carroll College Honors Faculty Excellence with 2026 Outstanding Teaching and Distinguished Scholar Awards
(Helena, MT) – Each year, on behalf of faculty, staff, and students, Carroll College’s Faculty Development Committee recognizes faculty members whose work exemplifies the very best of Carroll’s academic mission through the annual Outstanding Teaching Award and Distinguished Scholar Award.
This year, Carroll College is proud to honor Dr. Julian Nolen, assistant professor of psychology, with the Outstanding Teaching Award, and Dr. John Rowley, associate professor of chemistry, with the Distinguished Scholar Award.
At Carroll, where a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters meaningful connections, faculty mentorship, scholarship, and teaching are at the heart of the college’s mission. These annual awards represent the college’s highest forms of recognition for the exceptional work happening across Carroll’s classrooms, laboratories, and research spaces.
“Carroll is extraordinarily proud of our faculty, who bring both excellence and genuine care to their work every single day,” said Dr. Jennifer Glowienka, interim co-president and president-elect of Carroll College. “These awards honor not only the exceptional work of individual faculty members, but also the culture of mentorship, scholarship, and student-centered learning that defines a Carroll education.”
Outstanding Teaching Award: Dr. Julian Nolen
Selected in recognition of excellence in the classroom, student advising, and as a role model and inspiration for Carroll students, Dr. Nolen has become one of the college’s most beloved educators in his eight years at Carroll.
Students and colleagues alike describe Dr. Nolen as compassionate, engaging, and deeply committed to helping students succeed both academically and personally. His office is a frequent gathering place for students seeking guidance, encouragement, or simply conversation.
Known for experiential teaching methods that bring psychology to life, Dr. Nolen incorporates creative, hands-on learning opportunities ranging from outdoor classroom experiences and mindfulness exercises to developmental simulations that challenge students to apply course concepts in real-world settings.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Nolen has also expanded learning opportunities for students through immersive international experiences. He has led and developed study abroad programs in Costa Rica and across Scandinavia, creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with psychology, culture, wellness, and human development in global contexts.
As one student wrote in support of his nomination, “Dr. Nolen is a professor who pours everything that he has into everything that he does… He treats each person like they are his main focus.”
“He is loved by every student I’ve ever spoken to about him. Besides the obvious fact that he is an incredible educator, he’s a great human,” said one student.
Another student shared, “Students don’t just take Dr. Nolen’s classes, they experience them.”
In addition to his excellence in teaching, colleagues praised Dr. Nolen’s thoughtful pedagogy, innovative classroom design, and unwavering investment in student growth.
Distinguished Scholar Award: Dr. John Rowley
The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes significant faculty achievement in research, scholarly publication, professional honors, disciplinary contributions, and conference participation.
This year’s recipient, Dr. Rowley, has built one of Carroll’s most dynamic undergraduate research programs while mentoring countless students in chemistry research throughout the academic year and summer months.
Since arriving at Carroll thirteen years ago, Dr. Rowley has secured competitive grant funding, published peer-reviewed scholarship, presented at national conferences, and created numerous opportunities for undergraduate students to contribute original scientific research.
In 2025, Dr. Rowley brought three Carroll students to present their research at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. His student researchers have earned prestigious honors, including the John Van Zytveld Award for best undergraduate presentation in the physical sciences at the Murdock College Science Research (MCSR) Conference hosted by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
In 2022, Dr. Rowley served as lead co-author on a research article published as the cover story of the Journal of Environmental Health, examining copper leaching in consumer drinkware. The project originated from Carroll’s interdisciplinary Integrated Laboratory course and gained national attention in Chemical & Engineering News.
Dr. Rowley’s research focuses on renewable energy and next-generation solar fuel technologies, work that contributes to developing sustainable solutions for the environmental challenges facing our world.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Rowley secured an $86,000 research grant through the Montana Space Grant Consortium’s NASA EPSCoR program and has helped lead the development of major collaborative research initiatives at Carroll.
Dr. Rowley was also selected as a Fulbright Scholar for the 2025–26 academic year to teach and conduct research at the University of Rwanda in Kigali.
