The Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence is an annual merit-based award given to one professor and one teaching assistant (TA) in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). The award recognizes and rewards academic staff who have demonstrated excellent ability in teaching and supporting their students.
It is named after Ian Greene, a professor emeritus (retired) in the School of Public Policy and Administration. The award was created by his former students in recognition of his outstanding drive and effort to teach and make learning a unique experience. It is overseen and presented by the Student Council of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (SCOLAPS).
How to Nominate
All students in the Faculty of LA&PS are eligible to nominate one professor and one TA of their choice. These do not need to be professors or TAs that taught the student this academic year, but they do need to be current, practicing members of York University’s academic staff.
Nominations are made entirely by LA&PS students, which ensures that truly outstanding professors and TAs — those who make a difference in the academic life of their students — receive the recognition they deserve.
Nominations for the 2025 Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence are now open. Submit your nomination by April 4, 2025.
Interested in participating on the adjudication committee?
The recipients of the Ian Greene Award are selected by a 5-person adjudication committee made up of students, who make the decision based on the merit of the nominees.
The committee is formed by the Director of the Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence, which is a position elected with the SCOLAPS Executive.
The current Director is Hale Mahon, a 3rd year student studying public administration and psychology. He can be contacted at hmahon@my.yorku.ca for any questions about the award or the selection process.
How Recipients are Selected
The standing Ian Greene Director will form an adjudication committee consisting of 5 LA&PS students (not serving in the Executive/Director team) to review all the nominations submitted after the nomination period. After thorough deliberation among the committee members, the winners will be selected. When evaluating potential recipients, the members will not just consider the number of nominations a given nominee receives, but also the quality of feedback students leave for them.
Student-led Research Project
SCOLAPS is currently undertaking an informal, student-led research project to qualitatively analyze the written nominations submitted for this year's award.
This project involves an AI-assisted thematic analysis covering two broad areas: (1) identifying the broad qualities that students associate with teaching excellence and (2) identifying how students tend to respond to having excellent teachers.
We intend to find various insights into what we, as students, associate with teaching excellence at York, and share the findings with the university community to encourage and celebrate teaching excellence.
2024 Award Recipients
Natalie Neill
Professor
Department of English
Dr. Neill was recognized for her ability to deliver engaging lecture content, her care and respect for her students, and her commitment to making sure students have their voices heard.
Student Testimonial
Dr. Neill's nominator described her as "the most compassionate professor whom evidently cares about her students' success." She strives to "always ensure everybody’s voice is heard," which made students truly "want to participate in her classes."
Hiba Ibrahim
Teaching Assistant
Writing Department
Ms. Ibrahim was recognized for her innovative and academically-supportive method of leading tutorials, as well as her personable and approachable nature.
Student Testimonial
Ms. Ibrahim's nominator wrote that “Hiba set up our classroom in a way that made you want to participate and share your ideas and also allowed you to learn from your peers.” Her students express that it is clear that she cares for "both our academic progress and wellbeing."
Looking to participate?
For more information, please email Hale Mahon at hmahon@my.yorku.ca.