CWU geology teaching assistant receives national award for his work

ELLENSBURG - James Genero knew he wanted to study geology ever since middle school, when he first caught a certain rock hound’s lectures online.  

“I came to Central knowing I wanted to do geology,” he said. “I watched a lot of Nick Zentner’s town hall lectures in middle school and early high school, which I attribute a lot of my interest in the subject to. Knowing that he taught here, applying to Central was a no-brainer.”  

Now a senior in the CWU Department of Geological Sciences, Genero learned this winter that he had been awarded the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ (NAGT) annual Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, as one of only 10 recipients from undergraduate and graduate programs across the country.  

He had never heard of the award before, so he was both surprised and delighted to know that he had been nominated by faculty members Hannah Shamloo and Chris Mattinson, who witnessed firsthand Genero’s dedication to guiding his fellow students through their higher education journey.  

“I like helping people understand and digest the stuff they’re learning in class, which is what led me to the Learning Commons, and eventually to being a teaching assistant,” Genero said. “We’re a pretty tight-knit program, so getting as involved as possible seemed like the best way forward.”  

Genero declared his major two weeks after starting his freshman year at CWU, and he got deeply involved with the geology department almost immediately. He had heard about undergraduate research from his advisor at orientation, so he pursued one such opportunity as early as possible.  

“Prior to going to Central, undergraduate research wasn’t even really something I had thought about,” he said. “It was exciting to be able to get involved with that, because when I think of research, I think of professors and graduate students, not really undergraduates like me. The skills I’ve developed through that are a big reason why I am the geologist I am today.”  

Genero has conducted the majority of his undergraduate research alongside Shamloo, whose specialization in volcanology aligned with his own interest in the subject. Thanks to that experience, he has his sights firmly set on a PhD after completing his CWU degree this spring.  

“A lot of people see that as a big step, what with the research component and everything else,” Genero said. “I always tell them that I’m ready for it, since I’ve been doing that research since I was a sophomore. And, I like it a lot. I can see myself as a college professor, both teaching and furthering my field.”  

In addition to his undergraduate research and TA work, Genero has been an active member of the Geology Club, serving as this year’s president. In pursuing his academic goals, he has felt his approach to life begin to shift, becoming more comfortable with public speaking and putting himself out into the world to find the opportunities he needs to move his career forward.  

“Before starting at Central, I was a completely different person,” Genero said. “I’m much more outgoing now, for sure, but I think what got me to that place was putting myself out there and taking advantage of everything the school has to offer. I presented research in Washington, D.C., in December, which was terrifying, but also something I knew I had to make the most of. All of those things that have taken me out of my comfort zone have helped prepare me for what’s next.”  

Along with the national recognition, the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award comes with a yearlong membership in NAGT, which Genero will leverage of as he prepares to transition to graduate school.  

“If I want to continue in geoscience, that organization would be a huge help, especially the workshops on geoscience teaching,” he said. “I know I can make really good connections through it, so it’s something I look forward to taking advantage of.”