Three Trent Alumni Faculty Awarded for Teaching Excellence

2023 Decanal Awards recognize exceptional faculty members who have profound impact on student success

September 29, 2023

Three alumni faculty took home a 2023 Trent University Decanal Awards for Teaching Excellence and Outstanding Graduate Mentorship, recognizing their profound impact on student success in various academic fields.

Now in its second year, the awards honour Trent University faculty members, spanning the Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Education, Trent University Durham GTA, School of Nursing, and the School of Graduate Studies. 

"Congratulations to all faculty who won this award including our outstanding alumni faculty who continue to demonstrate leadership at their alma mater by empowering students to reach their full potential," says Sherry Booth '98, associate vice president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

The following alumni faculty were recognized:

Dr. Kateryna Keefer '99 (Champlain College), Psychology
School of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship for New Mentors

Professor Keefer shares her passion for supporting student learning, nurturing critical thinking, and guiding students to become proficient scholars. She is also celebrated for generously committing her time and expertise as a mentor, and for encouraging students to further explore and enhance their own abilities.

Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant '90 (Julian Blackburn College), Psychology
Trent Durham GTA Award for Teaching Excellence

Professor Brenda Smith-Chant is celebrated for her ability to offer positive and constructive feedback, her innovative approach to creating learning materials, and her aptitude for elevating student participation and engagement.

Dean Howley '06 (Peter Gzowski College), Trent School of Business
Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Professor Dean Howley is recognized for his commitment to nurturing student learning, his enthusiasm for teaching, and his remarkable capacity to captivate and motivate students, inspiring them to establish meaningful connections between course content and real-world scenarios.

To see the full list of winners and learn more about the Decanal Awards, visit the Centre for Teaching and Learning website.