Dr. Gowri Shankar, Associate Professor in the Business Program
Recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Teaching Award
The Distinguished Teaching Award selection committee, appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is chaired by a previous DTA recipient. It includes representatives of the faculty (from each of the five academic programs), students, and alumni. After reviewing the nomination letters the committee invites some or all nominees to submit a complete dossier of supporting materials. Based on its consideration of these dossiers, the committee submits its recommendation to the Vice Chancellor, who refers it to the Chancellor. In concurrence, the Chancellor submits his formal recommendation to UW President Emmert. The award recipient will be announced during spring quarter and will be honored at the annual Recognition Reception in Meany Hall, UW Seattle campus, and at the UWB Faculty Recognition Celebration.
With so many excellent UWB faculty teaching across all programs, criteria have been developed to help identify exceptionally meritorious teaching. Such teaching:
* Stimulates and supports active and continuous learning
* Inspires and cultivates excellence in the achievements of all students
* Exemplifies thoughtful openness to a broad range of ethical and intellectual inquiry
These criteria are met in a wide variety of ways by different members of the teaching faculty. Examples include, but are not limited to: development of innovative instructional methods; creative and effective ways of assessing student learning; incorporation of current scholarship into course content; integration of multiple disciplines in one's teaching; challenges to traditional ways of knowing; expanding and deepening multicultural understanding; advising and mentoring outside the classroom; re-thinking clinical experiences; effectively directing independent studies and internships; and demonstrating leadership in curriculum development, within the teacher's own course offerings and at the program and cross-program levels.
