David Baylis awarded the 2024-25 Integrative Studies in Social Science Teaching Excellence Award

May 12, 2025 - Jalen Smith

The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science would like to congratulate assistant professor David Baylis on his reception of the 2024-25 Integrative Studies in Social Science (ISS) Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes outstanding college ISS instructors with Student Perception of Learning Survey (SPLS) scores in the top 15 percent with an emphasis on their dedication to teaching excellence and student success and a demonstrated commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals.  

Baylis earned his bachelor's degree in Geography and Political Science from Aquinas College and a master's of science (2009) and PhD (2015) in Geography from Michigan State University. In 2014, he was awarded a Fulbright Hays Fellowship to study the relationship between gender and environment in Ankara, Turkey.  Prior to returning to Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor in the Center for Integrative Studies, Dr. Baylis spent several years teaching at Delta State University in the Mississippi Delta and later at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. 

Baylis’ research and teaching interests include queer ecology, spatial storytelling, environmental politics and identity, intrinsic motivation and ungrading.  

“My courses draw from a blend of community engaged learning, experiential learning, research methods, and career readiness curriculum.” Baylis explained when asked about his approach to teaching.  “I believe that it is not only possible but in our best interest as educators to link the applied, pragmatic skills that students require and that their future careers (in any field) demand with the abstract, the philosophical, and sometimes even the whimsical,” he concluded.  

Baylis’ teaching approach has made a profound impact in the learning goals and lives of his students, including recent Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science graduating senior Jessica Lemond.  

“Working with Dr. Baylis increased my sense of competence and gave me confidence that I could go on to have a meaningful career,” Lemond added.