For Professor Mary Goitom, graduate-level teaching is grounded in dialogue, reflection and student voice – a practise recognized with two teaching awards for her impact on graduate education at York University and beyond.
In recognition of excellence in teaching and supervision, as well as leadership in program and curriculum development, Goitom has earned the 2025-26 Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Faculty Teaching Award at York University.
Goitom’s research explores migration, diasporic connections and transnational social relations grounded in Ethiopian epistemologies and African traditional knowledge systems. She integrates this expertise into lessons in the Development Studies and Social Work graduate programs by creating classroom environments that connect theory to lived experience.
Her graduate seminars include student‑led presentations with individualized feedback, offering enriched opportunities for skill development and critical thinking.
Goitom, who is director of the Research Commons in the Office of the Vice‑President Research and Innovation, is also known in York’s graduate community through her extensive contributions. She has served as program director for the Graduate Program in Development Studies, as a member of the FGS Academic Planning and Policy Committee, and has participated on numerous adjudication panels for graduate scholarships and awards.
“York University is grateful to Mary for her contributions to the graduate community through exemplary teaching and supervision,” says Laina Bay‑Cheng, interim provost and vice‑president academic, “and for the support she has provided to so many students throughout their graduate education journey.”
Students have commended her approach in the classroom, describing her teaching as engaging, thought‑provoking and motivational.
“Mary’s teaching, supervision and mentorship embody the core criteria of this award,” adds Alice MacLachlan, vice‑provost and dean of FGS. “Her dedication ensures that every student she works with experiences a meaningful and transformative educational journey.”
Beyond York, Goitom’s excellence and creativity in graduate teaching were also recognized with the 2026 Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Graduate Teaching Award for master’s programs.
The NAGS consortium includes more than 75 universities and colleges across North America. Only one award is presented annually at the NAGS meeting, underscoring the highly selective nature of the recognition.
“Receiving the FGS Faculty Teaching Award and the NAGS Graduate Teaching Award at the master’s level is deeply meaningful,” she says. “It affirms a long‑standing commitment to student learning, teaching excellence and educational leadership. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of students, colleagues and the broader academic community that I am privileged to serve.”
Goitom’s contributions to teaching at the master’s level – characterized by intensive coursework and shorter timelines – include revising existing curricula and developing new courses. Her teaching approach prioritizes student voices and emphasizes inclusive, supportive learning environments.
She has taught more than 18 graduate courses in development studies and social work with a focus on high-quality teaching, learning and mentorship.