Conversations about Teaching Excellence

Teaching Excellence: A Laurier Conversation Series features discussions between Jonathan Finn, academic director of Teaching Excellence and Innovation, and the recent winners of the Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence.

The series explores critical conversations on innovative and inclusive approaches to teaching, mentorship, student-centred learning, and the future of higher education. 

You can also listen to the series on The Laurier Teaching Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Up Next:

Early Career Excellence recipient Nathan Vo from Laurier’s Health Studies program reflects on how curiosity and discovery have shaped his teaching philosophy and journey and how he passes that long to his students Through a student-centred approach grounded in active and experiential learning, Nathan challenges students to move beyond asking "what?" and "why?" to exploring "what if?" as they develop new ideas, solve problems and build confidence in their own abilities. Whether students are investigating forensic evidence, exploring nature from a new perspective or collaborating with peers in the lab developing novel vaccines, Nathan is creates a learning environment where students can take risks and follow their curiosity and passions as they pursue the next big scientific discovery.  

Early Career Excellence award recipient Christian Danve Castroverde from Laurier’s Biology department shares how he designs large courses around big picture questions that frame learning, spark curiosity, and reveal science as an evolving, debatable process rather than a body of rote facts to be memorized. Rooted in universal design principles to increase access for all students, Danve structures lectures for engagement using narrative, moments of surprise, and active learning throughout class. He shares how his student journal clubs help demystify scientific papers and build confidence in students, preparing them for their own research publications and conference presentations. To further prepare students with future-ready skills, Danve offers a practical blueprint to help students critically engage with generative AI as a tool for analysis rather than a shortcut.

Lucy Luccisano from Laurier's Sociology department and recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Internationalization Award, reflects on a teaching and mentorship philosophy rooted in love, empathy, and deep care for students. She shares how international and intercultural learning experiences—especially short-term and group exchanges—can be powerfully transformative while remaining accessible to more students than traditional study abroad programs. She offers practical insights into internationalization at home, showing how faculty can create rich, globally connected learning experiences even when travel isn’t possible. At the heart of her teaching is a commitment to building communities, both locally and across borders, that reduce isolation, foster belonging, and empower students through mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning.

Christos Shiamptanis, from Laurier's Economics department in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, and recipient of the 2025 Innovation in Teaching Award, shares how he transforms economics education through experiential learning, storytelling, and inclusive classroom design. From rethinking assessment rubrics to creating opportunities for quieter students to shine, his approach is about building confidence, skills, and curiosity that last well beyond the semester. By removing barriers, encouraging diverse voices, and connecting theory to real-world experiences, he shows how innovative teaching can prepare students for success in their studies, careers, and communities.