Middlebury Institute Vice President Jeff Dayton-Johnson has announced the winner of this year’s Middlebury Institute Faculty Excellence Award – Anne Campbell, Assistant Professor in the International Education Management program.
Nominations for this annual award were opened to the Institute campus community on January 29 and closed on February 28. Nominees were then considered by a selection committee made up of two faculty members, two students, and one member of the Institute Leadership Group. The committee was faced with what they described as “an extremely strong pool” of 6 nominees, each of whom received careful consideration. At the conclusion of the first round of review, the field was narrowed to several finalists, each of whom exhibited extraordinary dedication both to their students and to the Institute’s commitment to academic excellence. The committee then reviewed recent student evaluations and observed videos of each finalist in the classroom before reaching their decision.
Students in Professor Campbell’s courses raved about their experience in her classroom, noting that her teaching approach exemplifies what it means to be a master in the field of education. She is a master teacher, empathizer, student advocate, researcher, and capacity builder. At the beginning of each course, she orients students on strategies for owning their learning process. Her central recommendation for her students is to be in command of class readings, to question the purpose behind assignments, to discern what is aligned with personal goals, and then to invest energy strategically toward their personal enrichment. Dr. Campbell has an incredible ability to read her students, empathize and anticipate their concerns, and then respond transparently, authentically, and creatively. Her energy is contagious and her passion for truly equitable and just education systems comes alive through her teaching and her presence.
As this year’s recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award, Professor Campbell will receive a $500 award and will be invited to give the December 2018 Commencement address. Congratulations to Professor Campbell on this recognition of her exceptional commitment to academic excellence and to the students in her classroom.