Recipients of the 2023-2024 Decanal Awards for Teaching Excellence & Outstanding Graduate Mentorship
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in Education
Anne Corkery, Education
School of Education Assistant Professor, Anne Corkery, is recognized for the ways she incorporates outdoor education and supports student learning through integrative and hands-on lessons and activities. Nominators highlighted her commitment to building community within the classroom and valued her support, compassion, and kindness, all of which inspired them as teacher candidates. “Anne involved herself as a co-learner on our journeys this semester. It never felt like there was a rigid hierarchy in the classroom,” shared one nominator.
Trent Durham GTA Award for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Madison Moore, Child and Youth Studies
Dr. Madison Moore, an Assistant Professor in Child and Youth Studies, received many nominations that spoke to her innovative and creative pedagogical approaches that support student engagement, foster creativity, and create deep student learning. She is recognized for her thoughtful course design that allows students to engage directly with materials and concepts, supporting critical thinking and reflection. As one nominator shared, Moore’s “unwavering dedication to student success exemplifies her as an educator who not only imparts knowledge but also profoundly impacts her students' growth both academically and personally.”
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in Nursing
Dr. Victoria Reid-de Jong, Nursing
Trent/Fleming School of Nursing Sessional Faculty Member Dr. Victoria Reid-de Jong is recognized for her diverse pedagogical approaches, integration of technology, and in-depth and constructive feedback, all of which supports student learning and understanding of complex and difficult topics. As one nominator noted, “Professor Reid-de Jong promoted effective learning outcomes by nurturing critical thinking in her assignments and classroom discussions.”
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Brent Ryan Bellamy, Cultural Studies
Dr. Brent Ryan Bellamy, a Sessional Faculty Member in the departments of Cultural Studies and English, received glowing nominations that highlighted his ability to develop a welcoming and supportive learning environment; Dr. Bellamy’s pedagogical approach allows him to migrate between a facilitator and a co-learner, actively supporting students’ critical thinking skills. Nominators appreciate his genuine care and passion for supporting student learning and well-being. One nominator shared, “His presence even impacted the harmonious nature between students in his class. His classroom was truly a joy to be in, and one I looked forward to attending even in the midst of stressful midterm and exam seasons.”
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Sciences
Dr. Cheryl McKenna-Neuman, School of Environment
Dr. Cheryl Mckenna-Neuman, a Professor in the School of the Environment, is lauded for her ability to use innovative and thoughtful teaching methods to build student knowledge and integrate core concepts into meaningful experiences. Nominators celebrated her dynamic approach and ability to build rapport and foster engagement. As one nominator noted, “Dr. McKenna-Neuman has effectively cultivated an environment that not only meets learning outcomes but also instills a lasting appreciation for scientific inquiry and knowledge among the students.”
School of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship for Senior Mentors
Dr. Neil Emery, Biology
Dr. Neil Emery, Professor and Chair of Biology and member of the graduate faculty in the Environmental and Life Sciences program, was recognised for his approach to mentorship. Professor Emery inspires and supports his students, providing them with ongoing guidance and diverse learning experiences and encouraging them to take on local and global academic and professional opportunities. One nominator shared that “Dr. Emery’s guidance extends beyond mere academic pursuits; he takes a holistic approach to mentorship, providing invaluable support in personal development as well. Without comparison, his ability to tailor his mentorship style to meet the unique challenges and aspirations of each graduate student is admirable.”
2024 Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipients
Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Laura Summerfeldt, 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.
Laura Summerfeldt, a Professor in the Department of Psychology, is championed for her mentorship, passion and motivating support for her students within the classroom and throughout their academic careers. With great skill and care, Dr. Summerfeldt structures and scaffolds her classes in a manner that supports discussion and exploration while seamlessly integrating teaching strategies that are largely student-led. As described by one nominator, “watching her in this context has been an incredible opportunity for me as she has a masterful ability to direct, consider, respond, challenge, and inspire learning – all fluidly and in real-time – despite often being in situations that lack the safety and predictability of highly structured lesson plans.” By fostering a growth mindset, Dr. Summerfeldt is able to encourage risk-taking in a safe and structured environment offering students the opportunity to engage in critical moments of self-discovery. As a nominator described, “Dr. Summerfeldt tactfully inspires students to venture beyond their comfort zones, encouraging the development of new skills and instilling greater confidence in their academic pursuits.” Deeply dedicated to student success, Dr. Summerfeldt is valued for her leadership, ability to inspire confidence, and her continuous support and genuine care.
Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation
Dr. Dan Roronhiakewen Longboat, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies
Recognizes faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves through their educational leadership, teaching, innovation, and successful communication.
Dan Roronhiakewen Longboat, an Associate Professor for the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and Director of the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences (IESS) program, is recognized for making significant contributions to Trent and the wider community. Championed for creating the first IESS undergraduate degree, Professor Longboat is also recognized for developing the IESS program’s academic governance structure, co-founding the TRACKS (Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science) program, developing a variety of innovative and cross-disciplinary undergraduate IESS foundational courses, co-founding the Trent Indigenous Environmental Institute, and presenting as a keynote speaker at numerous academic and Indigenous conferences. Professor Longboat is commended for his desire and ability to design spaces where Indigenous Knowledges and Western sciences interact and collaborate with one another. As explained by a nominator, “Professor Longboat’s teaching responds to one of the strong desires of modern Indigenous society: to bring Indigenous Knowledges forward to inform Indigenous daily life both as individuals and as nations and to use Indigenous Knowledges as a basis for solutions to issues facing Indigenous peoples.” Nominators also recognized his focus on student success and his ability to create learning communities that are safe and supportive for students. As one nominator noted, “His contribution starts with the 1100 students he has taught over the last decade, but certainly doesn’t end there.”
Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
Dr. Else Marie Knudsen, Social Work
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.
Else Marie Knudsen, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, is this year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. Students commend her continuous and unwavering support and encouragement as she goes above and beyond to ensure their understanding of complex topics. Dr. Knudsen’s captivating and dynamic style supports students as they engage with the course content through different innovative and creative activities. As one nominator noted, “Else’s online courses are designed in a way that is inspiring to learners. Else’s online courses have demonstrated the ability of engaging with students individually and as a group, encouraging their success.” Dr. Knudsen approaches online education with the whole student in mind, actively seeking to support their well-being and academic performance through thoughtful learning activities. As a nominator described, “She has provided guidance and encouragement, offering insights and advice beyond textbooks. Her approach is holistic, acknowledging that the well-being of her students influences their academic success.” Passionate about online education, Dr. Knudsen inspires both students and instructors with her organized, creative, and engaging online courses.
CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching
Sarah Ibaid, Child and Youth Studies
Recognizes contract faculty who have a strong, positive impact on students’ learning.
Sarah Ibaid, a course instructor in Child and Youth Studies, is this year’s recipient of the CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching. Students value her approachable nature and ability to maintain a safe and inclusive environment even while discussing difficult topics. She approaches classroom discussions with care and sensitivity and promotes respect by welcoming and celebrating diverse perspectives. According to a nominator, Sarah was able to approach “important issues in a manner which is respectful to all, and she creates a safe learning environment.” Passionate about education, she is recognized for a student-centered approach to teaching in which she seeks to support the whole student by creating thoughtful and engaging lessons and assignments and a dynamic and supportive classroom environment. As one nominator described, “Sarah has demonstrated exceptional teaching skills, consistently providing engaging and thought-provoking lectures that leave her students feeling inspired and motivated.” Deeply committed to student mentorship and success, she actively supports students with academic pathways and professional growth. She consistently goes ’above and beyond’ and provides enduring encouragement and guidance. Both students and staff alike recognized Sarah for her kindness, calm demeanor, and dedication.
Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance
Connor Leshner, Psychology
Recognizes teaching assistants who excel at encouraging learning in workshop, tutorial, seminar, laboratory, or field settings.
Connor Leshner, a Ph.D. student and a Teaching Assistant in Psychology, is this year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance. Demonstrating his passion for teaching, Connor is commended for his ability and aspiration to connect with and support his students throughout the duration of the course and beyond. A nominator noted, “Connor told me once I had become one of his students, he would always consider me his student.” His dedication to student success is epitomized in how well he gets to know his students with the intentionality of providing them with the necessary tools for success. As described by a nominator, “He always took the time to get to know each person he worked with individually with the intention that he could better help them if he knew their learning style.” Mr. Leshner supports students’ learning by consistently providing thorough, detailed and constructive feedback and taking the time to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-follow manner. Deeply dedicated to the subject matter, Mr. Leshner is recognized for his passion and insight and valued for his empathy, compassion and kindness.
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.”