Amanda Bashista, ‘01, who has taught for the School of Respiratory Care Sciences since 2014 in both classroom and clinical settings, received the 2025-2026 College of Health Sciences Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award.
The College of Health Sciences recognizes the important role that adjunct faculty play in educating our students. These faculty members often have careers outside of the university, which can bring a unique perspective to the classroom. The Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award honors remarkable teaching among part-time faculty and their contributions to their department, the college, and the larger Boise State community.
Bashista has consistently taught RESPCARE 217, Pulmonary Assessment, since its inception in 2019. She spearheaded the design and development of the course, integrating the use of a state-of-the-art mannequin into her instruction, which provided students with hands-on practice in a lab-based environment that delivered real-time feedback. Students appreciate that her class connects the content they are learning in their didactic and lab courses to how they will care for patients in the hospital.
Bashista’s contributions to the School of Respiratory Care Sciences extend beyond her duties as an adjunct professor. In her clinical role, she supports students at our clinical facility, the VA hospital, reinforcing classroom content and helping them apply it effectively in real-world patient scenarios at the bedside.
“Students consistently appreciate the passion, empathy, and clinical experience that Amanda brings to the course and bedside,” Camille Stover, program director for the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program, said. “Every year, students comment about how she is their favorite teacher ever, both informally and on course evaluations. Her integration of experience and instruction has been invaluable to first-year students as they are introduced to bedside care. Her teaching not only prepares students for clinical practice but also instills a sense of confidence and professionalism that carries into their rotations. Her empathy as a clinician and adjunct faculty member makes her stand out. She teaches students to care about the patients they are caring for, just as she models in her work as a respiratory therapist.”
In 2020, Bashista was awarded the Dr. Merrick Respiratory Care Excellence award, highlighting her continued contributions to the respiratory care profession in the Treasure Valley.