Three York University faculty members and two teaching assistants will earn recognition during 2025 Spring Convocation ceremonies with President’s University-Wide Teaching Awards for their dedication to student success and excellence in teaching.
This year’s recipients of the President’s University-Wide Teaching Award – selected by the York University Senate – span four categories: full-time senior faculty with 10 or more years of teaching experience; full-time faculty with less than 10 years of experience; contract and adjunct faculty; and teaching assistants.
Each recipient will be honoured at a Spring Convocation ceremony and have their name engraved on plaques displayed in Vari Hall on the Keele Campus.
Full-time senior faculty with 10 or more years of teaching experience
Brian Huss, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is recognized for excellence in teaching philosophy through a dynamic, inclusive and rigorous approach. Huss was praised by nominators for fostering a classroom environment where students are encouraged to test their ideas through dialogue, making abstract philosophical concepts accessible to learners at all levels.
His teaching is guided by universal design for learning principles. He reinforces key ideas using multiple formats – from handouts to board work – to ensure accessibility. Students frequently cite the clarity of his explanations, the quality of his course materials and his responsiveness outside class.
Huss has also contributed to equity and inclusion through his work on the Department of Philosophy’s diversity committee and has supported student success in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
“Brian is a gifted, dedicated and resourceful teacher whose enthusiasm for philosophy opens up the subject to new audiences,” says professor and Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Alice MacLachlan.
"Education is vital to a free and open society, so I'm honoured that people think I make a valuable contribution to it," says Huss about receiving the award.
Full-time faculty with less than 10 years of teaching experience
Jodi Martin, Faculty of Health, is recognized for her student-centred pedagogy and leadership in teaching innovation. Her evidence-based courses emphasize active engagement, experiential learning and inclusive practice.
Martin has led several initiatives, including developing academic “maps” for psychology students and co-creating applied methodology courses that bridge theory with real-world application. Her efforts equip students with skills relevant to both professional and civic life.
“Martin is a transformative educator whose impact extends beyond content mastery,” says nominator and professor Lesley Zannella.
Martin's teaching has previously been recognized with the Canadian Psychological Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Faculty of Health’s Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, making the President’s University-Wide Teaching Award the latest recognition of her teaching leadership.
"Receiving this award is an incredible honour, and one that means a great deal to me, both professionally and personally," says Martin. "My teaching has always been about empowering students – helping them recognize their strengths, develop real-world skills and imagine their place in the world with confidence and purpose. To know that my teaching has made an impact on students’ learning and development is both humbling and deeply affirming of what I value as an educator.
"I’m especially thankful to my students, who continuously inspire and motivate me, and to my colleagues, whose endless support and encouragement have made this accomplishment possible. This recognition further fuels me to continue pushing the boundaries of what teaching in higher education can be."
Contract and adjunct faculty
Keith O’Regan, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is honoured for his impact on graduate writing education, interdisciplinary pedagogy and mentorship.
As a member of the Writing Centre and Writing Department, O’Regan has developed programming that supports student writing and contributes to the scholarship of teaching and learning.
He has also served as adjunct graduate faculty, offering dissertation support and professional development workshops, and has collaborated with several Faculties to enhance graduate writing resources.
O’Regan’s teaching combines strong student support with innovative programming, says nominator and professor Kate Kaul, who notes his unique expertise and dedication to student success.
"For me, this award is especially humbling as it acts as a form of recognition not merely from the University community, but from colleagues and students whose scholarship I respect, admire, and learn from every day," says O'Regan. "My work with graduate students is immensely rewarding but also challenging, centred as it is around a commitment to being open to thinking through highly complex questions while forming new academic identities in the process. This award validates the place of writing mentorship and support in building and sustaining equitable access to graduate education."
Teaching assistants
Sarah Vanderveer, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, receives the award for her contributions to teaching, mentorship and inclusive pedagogy, particularly in the course "Social Structure and Social Change." Her tutorials are praised for being intellectually stimulating and affirming, with a strong focus on equity and decolonization.
Beyond teaching, Vanderveer supports eClass infrastructure, mentors peers and shares instructional resources. Her guest lectures help students connect sociological theory to real-world issues.
“Sarah has a keen knack for unpacking complex concepts and igniting students’ curiosity,” says nominator and professor, Sylvia Bawa, who teaches "Social Structure and Social Change."
"I am truly honoured to receive this award," says Vanderveer. "Reading the nomination letters has been an inspiring and humbling experience. They reaffirm what we often hope as educators – that our words, actions and care matter more than we know; a reminder that the impact of teaching lies not just in what we deliver, but in how we make students feel and how these experiences can impact the lives of others, often in ways we will never know. "
Fatemeh Gharibi, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is recognized for their inclusive and participatory teaching approach as a PhD candidate in gender, feminist and women’s studies. Their work emphasizes accessibility, collaboration and student empowerment, often using innovative methods such as participatory and collaborative writing.
In addition to tutorials, Gharibi has contributed to curriculum development and community-based research while advocating for marginalized students.
“Fatemeh’s practice affirms each student’s worth and encourages them to apply classroom tools to real-world change,” says nominator and professor Bianca Beauchemin.
Gharibi expresses gratitude for the opportunity to teach "Introduction to Gender & Women’s Studies," and for Beauchemin and the students they learn with. They also also credit receiving the recognition to the collective strength of the Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies department.
“The education I received through this program shaped my pedagogy, equipping me with anti-oppressive frameworks that address diverse abilities and critically engage with the power dynamics of gender, race, sexuality, migration status and our relationship with land in the classroom,” Gharibi says. “It is essential that we continue to recognize and uplift the vital work happening in the department and other critical programs that challenge and inspire us all.”