HPU Presents Dr. Mark Setzler with Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award
High Point University recently presented The Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award to Dr. Mark Setzler, professor of political science and director of the International Relations Program. Pictured were HPU Provost Dr. Daniel Erb, with Setzler receiving the award from HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 22, 2025 – High Point University recently presented The Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award to Dr. Mark Setzler, professor of political science and director of the International Relations Program.
Setzler has been described by his colleagues as a faculty member whose first love is teaching and student mentorship. His effectiveness as a teacher and mentor has been repeatedly recognized by faculty, staff and students during his time at HPU.
“I’m fortunate to work alongside our faculty’s outstanding teacher-scholars, many of whom have been instrumental in the university’s rise to national prominence,” Setzler said. “To be honored with the Slane award by these esteemed colleagues is truly humbling.”
In the last five years, Setzler has received The Witcher School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Excellence in Student Mentoring award as well as three Faculty Excellence awards. These honors are given annually to one faculty member by each of HPU’s undergraduate class cohorts. Setzler was honored by the classes of 2022, 2024 and 2026.
Perhaps the best judges of Setzler’s teaching, mentoring and long-term influence are his former students who have worked closely with him over the years. Several HPU alumni wrote letters in support of his nomination for the Slane award and shared numerous stories about how he assisted them in their careers.
Julia Fiedler, a 2019 HPU alumna who is senior manager of federal affairs for the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C., said she was inspired by Setzler’s teaching.
“No matter the class, his teaching is marked by the same infectious, off-the-wall energy, intellectual curiosity and respect for differing viewpoints,” Fiedler said. “One of the most remarkable things about Dr. Setzler is his ability to create a space where students of all political backgrounds feel heard and challenged. He modeled what it means to engage in fact-based civil discourse, a lesson with timely urgency.”
Another nominator wrote, “One of the more remarkable aspects of Dr. Setzler’s many student-nominated accolades in recent years is the fact that it is a particularly challenging time to teach about political issues, especially in classes that enroll mostly non-majors. Many students entering his introductory political science or international relations courses have had minimal previous exposure to political, economic or social perspectives that challenge their own political worldviews. While he neither avoids controversial topics nor attempts to cloak his own understanding of them, students consistently report that Mark exemplifies the principle that a political science professor’s role is not to convince students to adopt specific partisan or policy positions but rather to equip them with the knowledge, facts and social scientific tools necessary to strengthen and fully understand their own political views.”
Setzler brings the same dedication, passion and energy in his service to HPU as he does to his teaching and mentoring of students.
One nominator said the highlight of Setzler’s service was his founding of a new Department of Political Science. He established a new curriculum, hired new faculty, retained faculty in his department and quadrupled the number of students served by majors that it offered.
In addition, Setzler serves as founding director of HPU’s International Relations major program, which he established 15 years ago. In this role, he has coordinated course offerings across the departments of Political Science, Economics, History, World Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
He has also ensured that advising and capstone experiences, which combine study abroad experiences and internships, are appropriate and have the required academic integrity. Through all of this, he has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues.