Paul Vincelli is an Extension Professor and Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor. Before joining the faculty of UK in 1990, he was an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming. His bachelor’s degree in botany and master’s in plant pathology are from Rutgers University, and he earned his doctorate in plant pathology from Cornell University. His professional experiences include serving as a Peace Corp volunteer in Nicaragua and Colombia (1977-1980) and as a Fulbright Scholar to Uruguay in 2005. His teaching was heavily influenced by a six-month sabbatical with Dr. Jo Handelsman (University of Wisconsin), a nationally recognized leader in teaching biology at the undergraduate level. He is the recipient of the American Phytopathological Society’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Master Teacher Award of the Kentucky Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta.

His teaching is characterized by several dimensions: a heavy reliance on inquiry and active-learning principles in order to engage students and promote their cognitive skills; a belief in the worth and dignity of each human being, and an overarching faith in student potential. 

Read about more great UK teachers here .