Rate My Professor Shawn Cruzen

Dr. Shawn Cruzen is a Full Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at Columbus State University, having joined the faculty in 1997. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, a position he has held since October 2004, and was the inaugural chair of the department. Beginning his scientific journey as an amateur astronomer in Colorado, Cruzen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Southern Colorado in 1992. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he received a Ph.D. in Astrophysics in 1997 as a NASA Space Grant Fellow. His doctoral research focused on extra-galactic astronomy, utilizing data from the Hubble Space Telescope. Cruzen's teaching portfolio at Columbus State University includes courses in astronomy and physics, and his research specializations encompass Extragalactic Astrophysics, Observational Cosmology, Active Galactic Nuclei, and Informal Science Education.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cruzen has been honored with multiple awards for his outstanding contributions to education and leadership. He has been nominated six times for CSU’s Educator of the Year, winning the award twice. Other distinctions include the CSU College of Science Outstanding Educator Award (2000), the Thomas E. Harrison Leadership Award (2012), the WTVM Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Teaching (2012), the USG Chancellor’s Leadership Excellence Award - Honorable Mention (2016), and the NASA Group Achievement Award (2018). His published works include the peer-reviewed article “Spectroscopy of Galaxies in the Bootes Void” in The Astronomical Journal (2002) and a book review on planetarium history published in Nature (2005). As director of the Space Science Center, Cruzen has significantly expanded its impact on K-12 education, public outreach, and regional tourism through innovative programs, exhibits, and events.