Recipients of the 2022-2023 Decanal Awards for Teaching Excellence & Outstanding Graduate Mentorship
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in Education
Dr. Kelly Young, Education
In their heartfelt testimonials, nominators recognized the ways in which School of Education faculty member Professor Young continually developed effective teaching strategies and demonstrated excellent pedagogy. They highlighted her ability to support exploration and learning in the classroom through a supportive and uplifting teaching style. “She didn’t tell us how to teach; Kelly showed us different ways to teach English through demonstration. This was so effective for us to see how a student could react, making these activities memorable. In addition, we now have all these activities to utilize with our own students,” shared one of her nominators.
Trent Durham GTA Award for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant, Psychology
Professor Smith-Chant, Associate Professor of Psychology at Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, received many nominations that spoke of her positive and constructive feedback, innovative learning materials, and ability to promote student engagement. One nominator shared, "She makes you want to learn with her humour and wit, making sometimes dry subjects more engaging and interesting. The workload was challenging, and I was intimidated at first, but she made me feel like anything was possible.”
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in Nursing
Kinza Malik, Nursing
Trent/Fleming School of Nursing instructor Kinza Malik received heartfelt nominations which commended her in-depth assessments, use of concept maps, and overall pedagogical approach, which inspired and facilitated student learning. “Professor Malik was outstanding in creating innovative and imaginative approaches to our course design, especially through instruction and assessments,” shared one of her nominators.
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Dean Howley, Trent School of Business
Professor Howley, an instructor in the Trent School of Business, received numerous heartfelt nominations which highlighted his dedication to supporting student learning, his passion for teaching, and his ability to engage and inspire students, encouraging them to connect course content to real-life applications. One of his nominators shared, “by incorporating incredibly practical and interesting assignments, Dean has allowed students to explore their potential as entrepreneurs and future business owners by giving them the opportunity to actually source out the necessary aspects of starting a business.”
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Sciences
Dr. Wesley Burr, Mathematics
Professor Burr, Chair and Associate Professor in Mathematics, received glowing nominations which spoke to how he makes himself available to students and supports their academic growth. They lauded Prof. Burr’s innovative teaching methods and supportive pedagogical approach. “Dr. Burr's mastery-based learning and availability to students ensures that everyone, should they put in the work, can understand these concepts and do well in his course. Further, he encourages students to think beyond the course and explore how these approaches to modeling data may be useful in our careers and applied in our respective fields,” shared one nominator.
School of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship for New Mentors
Dr. Kateryna Keefer, Psychology
In their substantive and heartfelt testimonials, graduate students recognized the ways in which Professor Keefer supports student learning, fosters critical thinking, and helps students to become effective scholars. Nominations also celebrated the generous manner with which she shares her time and expertise as a mentor and the ways in which she encourages her students to deepen their understanding of their own abilities. One nominator shared that “She is a supervisor who incorporates a healthy blend of theory and practical application. Her students come out of the mentor-mentee relationship having this newfound confidence in their own ideas, unafraid to speak up and critique ideas and methodologies.”
School of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship for Senior Mentors
Dr. David M. K. Sheinin, History
Nominators recognized History Professor David Sheinin’s approach to mentorship, which demonstrates genuine support for students, helping them to build confidence in their own abilities and pursue academic work within and outside of Trent and contributes to their development as scholars. One nominator shared, “The mark of a truly great mentor is when the mentee starts to believe in their abilities and gains the confidence to set out on their professional journey alone. My years of working with David gave me this confidence. He is a terrific mentor deserving of this honour.”
2023 Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipients
Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Elizabeth Russell, Psychology
Recognizes faculty and staff members who encourage learning and who offer unique experiences to their students, challenge them to do their best work, and inspire them to learn.
Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professor Russell’s energetic lecture style, caring encouragement, passion for teaching, and dedication to mentorship inspire her students to do their very best work. One nominator highlighted that, “Never in my academic career have I seen such a commitment, on a professor’s part, to ensuring their students have everything they need to succeed.” Professor Russell incorporates active learning strategies, authentic forms of assessment, and interactive experiential learning into all of her courses. Through her role as director of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society, Dr. Russell has led the creation of the TCAS Knowledge Mobilization Hub, a platform to share academic, aging-based research with non-academic audiences, and also the Master’s in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies, a new graduate program which, in true Trent fashion, brings together academic research with hands-on, experiential learning. She also makes a point of getting to know each student by name and maintains a focus on student wellness; according to one nominator, “Dr. Russell’s concern for students should be the standard by which all others operate.” She treats her students with deep respect and consideration, always seeking to support them and ensure success in their academic journeys.
Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation (Two awards in 2023)
Dr. Jennifer Newton, Anthropology
Recognizes faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves through their educational leadership, teaching, innovation, and successful communication.
Jennifer Newton, an Assistant Professor with the Department of Anthropology, is recognized for her extraordinary innovation at the course and department levels. Most notably these include developing a Bio-Anthropology/Archaeology Specialization, promoting Bio-Anthropology at Trent Durham GTA, and laying the foundation for a capstone course. Dr. Newton has worked diligently to create innovative and equitable learning experiences for Anthropology students across both campuses, including developing unique teaching materials to be used for hands-on opportunities in the lab by Durham students. One nominator celebrated Dr. Newton’s efforts to go the “extra mile,” explaining that they have allowed the program in Durham “to offer both the required core courses as well as an advanced bio-archaeology course that our students would not be able to access without travelling to Peterborough.” Additionally, she has developed an innovative fourth year “choose your own adventure” research course to support students in following their interests and academic career paths. Dr. Newton is spearheading Trent University’s involvement in a new archeological project in Costa Rica through the Trent University Archaeology Research Centre (TUARC), which will generate new and dynamic learning opportunities for faculty and students.
Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation
Dr. Kirk Hillsley, Biology
Recognizes faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves through their educational leadership, teaching, innovation, and successful communication.
Kirk Hillsley, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, is recognized for his pedagogical innovations at the course and department levels. Professor Hillsley has substantially revised and updated over six courses, while developing four new biology courses. According to nominators, since joining the Department of Biology in 2014, “Kirk Hillsley has made significant, sustained, and consistently valuable contributions to the design and teaching of Biology courses, using innovative approaches in both course delivery and student assessment each year.” He recently worked with a subcommittee in the Department of Biology to propose the creation of a new introductory biology course geared to non-science majors and is now developing this course with the goal of improving scientific literacy among all students. Professor Hillsley has also been a leader in the development of best practices for online courses within the department. He consistently demonstrates excellence in his ability to “modify and adjust his pedagogy to respond to student needs and performance.”
Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
Dr. Erick Laming, Sociology
Recognizes instructors who have demonstrated a passion for, and commitment to, online teaching and who have implemented effective approaches to fostering active learning and student involvement.
Erick Laming, an Assistant Professor of Criminology in the Department of Sociology at Trent University, is this year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. Students commend his use of humour in his teaching, even in the context of heavy and difficult topics. His dynamic and engaging teaching style helps students to connect more deeply to course materials. Professor Laming supports student learning by using a variety of teaching materials to foster multiple modes of student engagement. He shows innovation in his approach to assessments in his use of Padlet and hidden hints and clues embedded in his course design. One nominator celebrated his use of “flashes throughout the presentations as clues to different challenges involving participation and critical thinking skills.” Professor Laming makes courses more accessible by giving students continued access to lecture videos and slides. His “very approachable, invested, and generous” style of teaching means that he goes above and beyond to support students in finding academic opportunities beyond the classroom.
CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Mary-Claire Buell, Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences
Recognizes contract faculty who have a strong, positive impact on students’ learning.
Mary-Claire Buell, a course instructor in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences and an adjunct faculty in Environmental and Life Sciences, is this year’s recipient of the CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching. Students especially value her ability to explain clearly theories of knowledge, the ways in which she shows collaboration between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, and her support for students as they navigate barriers and overcome resistance. Engaging and approachable in her teaching style, she encourages and supports students’ curiosity and responds quickly and actively to students’ needs. Concepts of equity are built into her course design and materials, and according to one nominator, “Mary-Claire is a champion of equity and successfully makes purposeful efforts to build a safer, supportive learning community.” Dr. Buell inspires her co-instructors, seminar leaders, and teaching assistants to “act toward students with equity and respect.” She underscores for students the importance of “love” in their work, and students and faculty alike are struck by her kindness, understanding and compassion.
Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance
William Kim, Biology
Recognizes teaching assistants who excel at encouraging learning in workshop, tutorial, seminar, laboratory, or field settings.
William Kim, a PhD candidate in Environmental and Life Sciences and a Teaching Assistant in Biology, is championed for his exceptional support for students’ learning. Both students and faculty recognize the ways in which Mr. Kim goes above and beyond to foster student success. He makes labs interactive and circulates to every student to make sure they understand the material, supporting them with clear and varied explanations of complex concepts. As one nominator described, “Exceedingly approachable, kind, and perceptive, William Kim ensured that none of us were left behind.” Mr. Kim made a special effort to support students entering in-person labs for the first time after the pandemic, making them feel safe and able to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them. He takes the time to foresee problems students may have and arms them with strategies to overcome them. Clearly passionate about teaching, Mr. Kim helps students to connect more deeply with their course material and supports them in cultivating a continued interest and joy in their learning.