Dean's Student Success Teaching Awards

Fanshawe College is pleased to announce the winners of the Dean's Student Success Teaching Awards. The awards identify and honour professors who demonstrate a commitment to student success. Faculty members are nominated in writing by students. The submissions are then reviewed by a committee consisting of a majority of Fanshawe students in addition to a Student Success Advisor and another staff member.

Nominations for this first year totaled 110 and the names of 61 faculty members were put forward for nomination.

Upon reading many submissions and after much deliberation, we present this year's winners of the Dean's Student Success Teaching Awards with congratulations to all:

Bobbi Thomas-Bailey will receive the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award from Pam Skinner, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Human Services. Bobbi coordinates Fanshawe's Pharmacy Technician program and teaches much of the program's curriculum. She was nominated for her many strategies in realizing student success, including varied teaching methods that optimize the learning potential of her students.

"[Bobbi] is able to communicate using several methods until she is convinced we understand," explains one student, continuing "... she uses many tools to accomplish this goal."

Bobbi makes herself available inside and outside of the classroom for additional help and tutoring that students may need.

"She definitely goes the extra mile for us to succeed ... she is a very gifted instructor who has had a huge impact on her students."


Susan Coyne will receive the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award from David Belford, Dean of the Faculty of Business. Susan works as a Career Services Consultant at the College. She also teaches Internship Preparation and Global Communications to students in the Concierge Services - Guest Relations Specialist graduate program.

Susan counsels on successful job search practices. A particularly rewarding exercise involves conducting mock interviews and recording them so students can replay answers, observe body language and change accordingly. Susan internationalizes her classroom by teaching international awareness in the workplace. Students credit such activities for their gaining of successful employment with prestigious resorts around the world.

"Susan connected with the students ... she is an educational, personal and career mentor and exceeded her job requirements on a daily basis," recounts one student.


Susan Loosely tied for the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award, to be presented by Chris Fliesser, Dean of Fanshawe's area campuses. Susan teaches within the Child & Youth Worker program at Fanshawe's Oxford County Campus in Woodstock. She brings much experience to the classroom and was nominated for incorporating this experience into her teaching methods.

Susan is described as passionate, engaging and inspiring in her teaching: "I stand in personal amazement at her drive to give us the absolute best education."

She was nominated for her approach to teaching and for her dedication to student learning. One of her students explains: "I look forward to [Susan's] classes every week, they inspire me to be the best that I can be."


Steve Malison will receive the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award from Terry Boyd, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Media & Design. Steve coordinates Fanshawe's Audio Post-Production program and teaches students in Music Industry Arts. He works to incorporate various programs and integrate many fields of study to expose students to all facets of the industry. Explains one student, "He is so very dedicated to our program and it shows in everything he does."

Steve is also committed to those he teaches. One student describes his "great passion and desire to see his students succeed" while another speaks about his "will and determination for student success."


Eric McIlwain will receive the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award from Rod Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Technology. Eric teaches in Fanshawe's Motive Power Technology program as well as to Motive Power Apprenticeship students. He was nominated for excellent teaching practices, his patience and understanding and for his influence on students.

"He has such a vast knowledge of the industry ... he can explain complicated concepts and make them interesting and exciting," one student writes.

Another student explains how he "... cares about all his students and takes pride in being able to affect each one and help ensure their individual success in the future."

Not only do students appreciate his commitment to their learning and development, they also recognize his passion for the job.


Sandi Reeves tied for the Dean's Student Success Teaching Award, to be presented by Chris Fliesser, Dean of Fanshawe's area campuses. Sandi coordinates Early Childhood Education at the James N. Allan Campus in Simcoe. Her teaching style is approachable and uplifting. As indicated by one of her students, Sandi is "an ongoing source of positive feedback" and has "encouraged change in many of [my] classmates."

Sandi instills confidence in her students, provides them with the resources they need and genuinely believes in their capabilities in the classroom and beyond.

"She is gifted in so many ways - she made me see my own abilities and I can't thank her enough."


Congratulations go out to all winners!