Trent University Names Ms. Anne Sloggett as the 2010/11 Recipient Excellence in Teaching Assistance Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Academic assistant in the Business Administration program is awarded for facilitating learning

Friday, March 11, 2011, Peterborough

Trent University is pleased to announce that Ms. Anne Sloggett, a teaching assistant in the Business Administration program, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Assistance Award.

Established in 2006, the award acknowledges the contributions of academic assistants, and those that facilitate learning in workshop, tutorial, seminar, laboratory, and field settings.

Ms. Sloggett joined the Business Administration program in August 2003. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Economic Relations from the State University at Albany (SUNY Albany). At present, Ms. Sloggett is a teaching assistant for “Financial Accounting II” (a second-year course), but has also supported “Financial Accounting I” (a first-year course).

This award recognizes Ms. Sloggett for the outstanding support she has provided her students in the Business Administration program where she is widely “regarded as a thoughtful and patient person and a mentor who gives freely of her own personal time and places her passion for student engagement above her responsibilities elsewhere,” explains Dr. Gary Boire, provost and vice-president Academic.

In learning about this award recognition Ms. Sloggett commented: “Needless to say my reaction to this is one of sheer joy! I've always said that my job at Trent is the best job I've ever had.”

Ms. Sloggett’s reach has clearly gone beyond the traditional classroom walls. “Trent prides itself in producing students that flourish in a society by providing a higher education in an involved atmosphere,” explains a student nominator. “Although class sizes may rise, Anne will never quit engaging students, connecting them with faculty, volunteering for extra-curricular activities and committing to the University.”

Her involvement in extra-curricular activities includes participating in student-organized fundraising events, accompanying students to out of town case-study competitions, and providing advice and guidance to the Trent Business Students’ Association (TBSA). She also tries to attend many of the social events hosted by the TBSA and makes a point of attending Cultural Outreach as a way of showing support for the international students who comprise a large portion of the Business Administration Program.

In speaking to her extra curricular involvement, Ms. Sloggett commented: “One of the reasons that I enjoy spending time outside of the classroom with the business students is that they are just so amazing! Every year brings a new crop of great students to get to know and watch mature over their academic career at Trent.”

“The students see her commitment to them as exceptional,” explained Dr. Richard Hurley, the chair of the Teaching Awards Sub-committee. “They speak of the importance they have placed on Anne always pushing them beyond their comfort zone to exceed expectations, and thereby increasing their capacity as critical thinkers.”

The affection that students feel towards Ms. Sloggett is reciprocal. “I always approach convocation each year with bittersweet emotions: pride at watching some of my favourite students graduate, but also sadness in seeing them leave. Keeping in contact with former business students is one thing that I really get a kick out of. Finding out what interesting and/or challenging careers they have ended up in is very rewarding,” said Ms. Sloggett.

Ms. Sloggett will be among six teaching award recipients honoured at a special reception celebrating Trent’s teaching excellence on Wednesday, March 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Lady Eaton College’s Pit. Presentations will begin at 4:15 p.m. All are welcome.

To learn more about Trent’s teaching excellence visit:  www.trentu.ca/teaching

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For more information regarding the teaching awards reception, please contact: Angie Best, Trent University, 705-748-1011 ext. 7254, angiebest@trentu.ca