Tye Honored With Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education at UCM

From left, UCM Board of Governors President John Collier, Dr. Natalie Tye and UCM President Roger Best.

 

Recognized for her impact on future educators, Natalie Tye, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education at the University of Central Missouri (UCM).

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education was established by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and provides an annual opportunity to recognize college- and university-level faculty members who have excelled in their profession. The awards program considers criteria such as effective teaching and advising, innovative course design and delivery, service to the university community, commitment to high standards of excellence, and success in nurturing student achievement. 

“We are so proud of Dr. Tye for receiving the Governor's Award this year,” said Matt Thomas, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Education. “She exemplifies all of the outstanding faculty characteristics that this award honors and we are excited to see her recognized for her great work with students over many years here at UCM.”

Tye has dedicated herself to excellence in higher education by continuously refining her teaching practice, aligning her curriculum with current research, and preparing her students for the demands of the teaching profession.

A two-time alumna of UCM, Tye joined the university in 2004. She now serves as an associate professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and the undergraduate program coordinator for Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She previously served as the graduate program coordinator for Early Childhood Education.

Tye has been innovative in creating new courses and revamping existing offerings. She created two new courses for first-year teacher education students to help them acclimate to the education program, the building, the faculty and their peers. Students strengthen their bonds with peers and faculty, leading to deeper, more meaningful connections and a greater desire to stay in college. Tye also adapts her delivery methods to align with how students learn best, whether through engaging technology, hands-on learning activities or small-group discussions.

Being an advisor and mentor is a crucial part of Tye’s role as an educator, going beyond helping with class schedules and graduation plans. Tye works closely with UCM’s student support services as she helps guide students in their successful program completion. When meeting with a student who expressed personal challenges, Tye set aside course-related issues and focused on connecting the young woman with campus resources. Tye also jumped into action and helped a student secure additional financial support when she was at risk of withdrawing due to unforeseen circumstances that were going to affect her ability to student teach.

Her efforts as an advisor have been recognized numerous times at UCM, as she was named a finalist for the Outstanding Academic Advising Award in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Tye said she truly cares about each of her students and their success, and it's often the little things she does to help that end up having a big impact.

“I work so hard to develop relationships with my students,” she said. “Every one of my students I have a personal connection with, and I think that's what drives my purpose in my career. I love helping, I love guiding, and I don't want to ever see anybody give up on their dream because something got in their way.

“I hope they know that I'm here for them no matter what, no matter when you graduate, I'm still here for you,” she added. “I think that translates in the way I teach and the way I mentor and the way I guide.”

Tye values service to the UCM community. She is a member of various Faculty Senate subcommittees, including Curriculum and Faculty Personnel Policies, and has been involved with search committees, University Kickoff and the First-Year Experience. At the college level, she serves on several committees and chairs the Teacher Education Council. She has spearheaded many initiatives in the College of Education to support student success, academic excellence, recruitment and retention, including the Grow Your Own Paraprofessional program.

UCM colleagues said Tye partners her leadership role with her deep institutional knowledge and innovative thinking, striving to support effective teacher education through forward thinking. Student success is at the heart of Tye’s mission, and she models high standards in academic excellence for students and faculty members. 

In addition to her work at UCM, Tye conducts her own research and scholarly activities, including sharing the positive outcomes from the program’s dynamic teaching models on the national stage.

As she strives to continuously improve her own teaching, Tye seeks professional development and requests feedback from her students. Students consistently speak highly of her effective communication, her level of planning and her strong desire to help them succeed.

Tye earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development and a Master’s in Educational Technology, both from UCM. She also has a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Tye will be recognized and offer brief remarks during the undergraduate commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. May 10 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. She was also recognized during the UCM Board of Governors meeting on April 24 and the Missouri Council on Public Higher Education’s faculty award luncheon on April 2 in Jefferson City.