Purdue University Northwest professor receives LEAP award for inclusive teaching practices

Dr. Hubert Izienicki, Associate Professor of Sociology at Purdue University Northwest, has been recognized by LEAP Indiana for his teaching methods that promote inclusivity and provide support to his undergraduate students.

According to an article on Purdue University Northwest’s website, Dr. Izienicki explained that he spends a significant amount of time researching best practices, saying, “It is quite an honor to be singled out for my teaching innovations with this LEAP Indiana Teaching Award. I spend a good deal of time thinking about and experimenting with different pedagogical techniques, and I’m always interested in finding new uses for the teaching tools we are already using, so it is really rewarding to be recognized for my efforts.”

This care and intentionality led to Dr. Izienicki receiving the 2024 LEAP Indiana Annual Teaching Award. The Award is given to one full time and one part time faculty member at participating institutions in the LEAP Indiana network, of which there are 24. The recipients are those who are effective teachers who manage to weave inclusivity and support throughout their classroom teaching techniques. 

Dr. Izienicki was a participant in the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Course in Effective Teaching Practices. It was participating in the course that inspired him to spend a good deal of time focusing on his course syllabus and using it as a tool to gauge student success and understanding. He researched the best way to present a syllabus as it is often referred to by students throughout the course, and Dr. Izienicki wanted it to be useful for them.

Emily Hixon, who serves as a professor of Education and the director of the Center for Faculty Excellence, discussed Izienicki’s recognition, saying, “More than 180 PNW educators have participated or are currently participating in the Course in Effective Teaching Practices. Evaluation data support what we hear from faculty regularly; they are using the evidence-based teaching strategies they learned in the course and it is making a difference for them and their students. This is certainly the case for Dr. Izienicki, who embraces such learning opportunities and is continuously striving to give his students the best possible learning experience. He is not only a reflective practitioner who takes a scholarly approach to his own teaching, but he is also a committed colleague who is passionate about supporting and enhancing teaching and learning at PNW and beyond.”

For more information about Purdue University Northwest, visit the school’s website.