Mark Julien starts each academic term with the same message for his students.

The Professor of Human Resource Management at the Goodman School of Business makes it clear that university is about learning to think critically — and to do it in a respectful way. That commitment to creating a supportive and stimulating environment also sets the tone for every one of Julien’s classes.

His thoughtful approach to teaching hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Brock community. Julien received the University’s 2024 Distinguished Teaching Award during the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation’s (CPI) Tribute to Teaching on Monday, Dec. 9.

“I’m surrounded by excellent colleagues and my students spur me on to be my best version of myself in the classroom,” said Julien. “I’m really honoured to win this award.”

The Distinguished Teaching Award is given to a faculty member who makes outstanding contributions to the University’s teaching and learning environment, and whose efforts are endorsed by their colleagues.

Along with Julien, this year’s winners include:

• 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award for Early Career Faculty — Elizabeth Orr, Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
• 2024 Don Ursino Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Large Classes and the 2024 Clarke Thomson Award for Excellence in Sessional Teaching — Anton Jansen, Instructor of Classics and Archeology in the Faculty of Humanities
• 2023 Don Ursino Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Large Classes — Erin Panda, Associate Professor of Child and Youth Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences

“We had an unprecedented number of high-quality nomination applications which speaks to the exemplary teaching that happens in large and small ways at Brock University,” said CPI Director of Teaching and Learning, Giulia Forsythe. “Every year, it’s such a delight to read through these dossiers to learn more about the impact teaching has on so many lives.”

It’s not the first time Julien has been recognized for his innovative and student-centred approach to teaching. In April, he was named Goodman’s Undergraduate Professor of the Year. In 2016, the Organizational Behavior Teaching Society tapped him for the Mid-Career Distinguished Educator Award.

“All of these awards are very meaningful to me. Winning the University-wide award is very humbling,” he says. “When I think about the role my family has played, my colleagues — I feel so tremendously supported by our administrative assistant, our current and past chairs and all my other colleagues in the Organizational Behaviour, Human Resources Management, Entrepreneurship and Ethics department. It represents the sub-culture built into the department, and the level at which we all support each other is really special to me.”

Julien was drawn to teaching, and human resources, by the opportunity to make a positive impact.

“I’ve always been motivated to help other people and I was able to do that in human resources,” says Julien, who started teaching full time at Brock in 2003. “But once I was able to teach on a sessional basis, that’s when everything fell into place. I thought, ‘This is amazing.’ What other job do I get to interact with people from all over the world and get excited about human resources?”

As well as honouring excellent educators at Brock, this year’s event also marks the recent passing of Clarke Thomson, namesake of the Excellence in Sessional Teaching award. Thomson, the University’s first 3M National Teaching Fellow, passed away in November at the age of 98.

“Clarke leaves behind an incredible legacy, not only in his eponymous award, but also in his efforts to ensure there was a teaching centre at Brock University,” said Forsythe.

To learn more about the 2024 Tribute to Teaching event or award winners, visit the CPI website or 2024-25 Award Showcase.