Safa Jafari Safa, Office of Communications, communications@aub.edu.lb
AUB held its annual ceremony to present the AUB Teaching Excellence and the Innovation in Teaching with Technology awards to faculty members who were nominated by their colleagues and students and presented work that demonstrated outstanding work.
The
AUB Teaching Excellence Awards are presented based on evidence of teaching effectiveness and contributions to the advancement of AUB's educational mission. They recognize faculty members who, using innovative and holistic approaches, demonstrate scholarly endeavor and pursue activities that most enhance their contribution as mentors and educators. Winners of this award this year were AUB alumnae: Dr. Bana Bashour and Dr. Angela Massouh.
Dr. Bana Bashour is an associate professor of philosophy at the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She was described in testimonials as the “go-to" person who is always very welcoming, compassionate, and a great listener. Keeping everyone in class fully motivated and engaged with the content and motivated to give their best, she was described as a great mentor with a unique teaching style who makes the material modern, relevant, and of interest. One testimonial stated, “With a captivating style, she is an excellent example of a teacher who does not quit her role outside the classroom," another added, “She is a real educator who maintains a very humane relationship with every student."
Dr. Angela Massouh is assistant professor of adult and critical care nursing, heart failure clinical nurse specialist, and nurse leader for research, education, and innovation at AUB and AUBMC. She has been commended in testimonials nominating her for her passion and commitment to the profession and her teaching abilities that portray the nursing science as an art in itself. Whether in the clinical site, the classroom, or through assignments on Moodle, her methods were described as unconventional and progressive. Her role as a teacher was also said to never cease, even after graduation, as she supports her students and “constantly drives them forward to fulfill a certification, present in a conference, or attend a workshop." Inspiring and engaging her students in critical thinking, testimonials added that she constantly improves their academic and clinical journeys.
The
Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award honors creativity and innovation in teaching with the use of new instructional technologies and tools that make a positive impact on student learning. Winner of this award this year was Dr. Kirsten Scheid.
Dr. Kirsten Scheid is an associate professor in the Sociology, Anthropology, and Media Studies Department, and affiliated faculty at the Department of Fine Arts and Art History. She is cofounder of the Anthropology Society in Lebanon, and cofounder and producer of the
Hikayat Walad min Bayrut. In academic year 2019-2020 she was the Clark-Oakley Humanities Fellow at the Clark Art Institute at Williams College in Massachusetts where she completed her forthcoming book,
Fantasmic Objects: Art and Sociality from Lebanon, 1920-1950. She was nominated by students and colleagues and selected based on the award package she has presented, describing her work and course design demonstrating innovative teaching with technology.
This year, the ceremony was held in person, after suspending the ceremony for two years due to the pandemic and other pressing circumstance. Professors awarded in 2020 and 2021 were acknowledged and present at this year's ceremony.
“With their extraordinary commitment, their skill, their ability to innovate, to overcome despair, today's recipients and last year's and 2020's exemplify the leadership, the mentorship, the dedication, and the engaged citizenship that we aspire to at AUB," said AUB President Fadlo Khuri. “For that we thank you, you inspire not only your students, you inspire us to try harder."