The Illinois Student Senate Committee on Academic Affairs hosted the Teaching Excellence Awards on Sunday honoring five instructors. 

The awards honored outstanding faculty instructors and teaching assistants that were selected from more than 600 nominees. Student Body President Brock Gebhardt expressed his appreciation for these teachers.

“In our student’s opinions, these are the best of the best,” Gebhardt said. “Today is a day to offer them a small token of our appreciation.”

Michael Donohoe

Donohoe is a professor of accountancy in the College of Business. He explains topics in class using examples and stories from his own experiences and always ensures that students understand the topic before moving on. In addition, Donohoe has inspired many students to become tax accountants and encouraged excitement about his field.

Michael LeRoy

LeRoy is a professor in the School of Labor and Employment Relations. Students have deemed him “the most supportive professor they have had in their college career.” LeRoy teaches in a way that allows everyone to learn and benefit. Students see him go out of his way in order to ensure class material is being understood. During his career, LeRoy has inaugurated two courses. He expressed how vital it is for teachers to shape the curriculum in order for the University to grow and innovate. 

“Our students on this campus are not people we teach but people we learn from,” LeRoy said. “I’m a student with them.”   

Jermaine Martinez

Martinez is a teaching assistant from the LAS department of communications. His main research includes emotion, feeling and the nature of selfhood. In the classroom, Martinez lives by the motto of “teaching how to learn, not what to learn.” Martinez constantly motivates his students, making students more interested in the class’s lively discussions. Many students agreed that Martinez was able to take topics discussed in class and make them relatable to everyday life.

Ryan Rafferty

Rafferty is an assistant professor of chemistry in the College of LAS. His enthusiasm for teaching radiates through the material allowing for simple, yet detailed learning. Rafferty goes “old school” with his students by using a projector with pen and paper instead of a slide show in order to ensure his students are able to keep up and take detailed notes. Students have even noted that he cares more about them understanding and obtaining the material than his own research. This is evident through the fact that he holds extra office hours and provides useful review material. 

“The students at this university are top-notch,” Rafferty said. “I have to thank them immensely for their dedication to their studies.”

Craig Zilles

Zilles is an associate head in the department of computer science. Students remarked that Zilles is always prepared for class and will always put his students first. Zilles even created an interactive problem app that would generate problems which allows for immediate results and multiple attempts. Students also noted that Zilles’ assignments were not busy work, but instead posed open-ended questions that allow students to create a simulation that would best fit the scenario. In addition to office hours, web videos and extra meeting times, Zilles also teaches a discussion section himself which puts him into more contact with students and further impacts their learning. 

Liz can be reached at [email protected].