Michael Polgar
2025 Recipient
Bio
Michael Ferenc Polgar, Ph.D., is a professor of sociology at Penn State University. He teaches sociology at the Hazleton campus. Polgar also teaches Holocaust education courses at Penn State. He received a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. Polgar is a child and grandchild of Hungarian-born Holocaust survivors (Steven Polgar, Sophie and Ferenc Polgar, of Budapest). Michael has a record of published research on Holocaust education, families, health care, and homelessness. With Dr. Suki John, he created an open educational resource, The Holocaust: Remembrance, Respect, and Resilience, as part of the Sh’ma project.
Campus: Hazleton
Impact Statement
I’m always happy to enhance my teaching with technology and the support of Penn State Libraries. Building on Canvas course platforms and using various forms of hypertext, I add course materials and resources that are directly accessible to my students. I also collaborate with colleagues to develop and improve technology for academic advising in my role as campus Honors Program coordinator. Additionally, I work to update first-year seminars and faculty senate courses. I edit and write for an open educational resource (a free OER) called “The Holocaust: Remembrance, Resilience.” This resource includes work from scholars and educators around the world. TLT, Global Penn State, and the libraries were essential in supporting this work through a series of training sessions and ongoing collaboration across campuses (including at Symposium). I am also a Penn State accessibility champion, working with TLT and earning a Provost Endorsement in this area.
Programs and Events
The Faculty Endorsement Program supports faculty professional development and is coordinated by The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium, TLT’s signature annual event, brings together ideas and people with the power to transform education.