Congratulations to 蘑菇视频网 (CWI) Assistant Professor of , Stephanie Sevigny, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for September 2025.
Sevigny has been part of the CWI community since Fall 2010, where she has taught courses including Survey of Physics (PHYS-100), General Physics (PHYS-111), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (PHYS-211), and Survey of Astronomy (PHYS-101).
For Sevigny, the best part of teaching is simple: her students.
“Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn inspire me every day,” Sevigny said. “I love what I teach, and when I’m doing my job right, I can see my students connecting with the material in real time. It’s a wonderful thing.”
A native of Idaho Falls, Sevigny’s passion for science was sparked by her parents and early exposure to the Idaho National Laboratory. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the , where she helped design probes to measure magnetic fields in a fusion experiment at .
After spending time in the business and finance world, Sevigny discovered her love for teaching while instructing high school physics, chemistry, and earth science. When her family later moved back to Idaho, she saw an opening at CWI and knew it was the right fit.
At CWI, Sevigny values the College’s dedication to teaching and student success.
“At CWI, we as faculty get to focus on teaching,” Sevigny said. “Every teacher here is constantly working to improve their lessons and help students succeed. I think our students see that and appreciate that.”
Through her years at the College, Sevigny has created countless opportunities for students to explore and grow. As a club advisor for the Astronomy Club, she has led field trips to the Idaho National Laboratory, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, experiences she continues to reference in her lectures today.
She has also helped students gain real-world experience through summer research grants such as (B2B) and , where students have conducted biomedical research and worked at the sharing the wonders of the universe with visitors.
Recently, Sevigny has hosted “Physics Friday” sessions, informal meetups where students work alongside her and CWI tutors on extra problems. Students say her dedication and support make a lasting impact.
“Stephanie does whatever she can to help the students around her,” said CWI student, Christopher Turmes. “As I was working with her to join the B2B program, she was there every step of the way. When the program ended, she helped me find alternatives. Every week, she holds “Physics Friday” on her own time to help tutor students. She sets expectations, is always willing to listen, and has made my time at CWI much more comfortable. I know she would do this for any student.”
Sevigny believes CWI empowers students to explore their options, find opportunities, build a community, and plan for the future. In turn, she says, CWI empowers her to share her experience, teach with enthusiasm, and encourage success.
“Because of CWI, I get to do a job I love surrounded by people that inspire me,” she said.
Outside the classroom, Sevigny and her husband, Lawrence, who also teaches Computer Science at CWI, share their passion for learning with their two grown children; a daughter in graduate school at Oregon State University and a son pursuing his undergraduate degree at Boise State University.
When she’s not teaching, Sevigny enjoys camping, visiting museums, and playing tabletop games with family and friends. She also trains in Japanese martial arts, Kendo and Iaido, with hopes of earning black belts in both and finds time to crochet when she can.
