Celebrating Excellence: Taking PRIDE in Our Teaching
Friday, March 27, 2026
Thank you to all the faculty and instructors who joined their colleagues for a day of sharing ideas, building community, and celebrating excellent teaching at PNW.
See the list of honorees recognized at the 2026 Celebrating Excellence event.
Celebrating Excellence Agenda
| 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. | Student Panel - Balancing Life and Learning: How Faculty Can Support Today’s Students |
| 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. | Faculty Panel - Humanizing the Higher Ed Experience: Building Relationships for Student Success |
| Noon to 1:15 p.m. | Recognition Luncheon (by invitation only) |
Session Details
Student Panel – Balancing Life and Learning: How Faculty Can Support Today’s Students
Today’s students are navigating far more than coursework—they’re managing jobs, family commitments, mental health challenges, transportation barriers and financial pressures, all while striving to succeed academically. In this conversation with students, participants will hear firsthand how these intersecting responsibilities shape the PNW learning experience. Students will share what helps, what hinders and what instructional practices make a meaningful difference in their ability to thrive.
Faculty Panel – Humanizing the Higher Ed Experience: Building Relationships for Student Success
Strong faculty–student relationships are among the most powerful drivers of learning, motivation and persistence. In this conversational panel, PNW faculty will share practical, realistic ways they build meaningful connections with students through communication, care and intentional classroom practices. Panelists will discuss approaches that foster trust, engagement and a sense of belonging—especially for students managing complex lives. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on these ideas and consider how they might apply them within their own teaching.
Faculty Panelists:
- Matthew Bauman, Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Jose De La Cruz, Lecturer in Engineering Technology
- James Dolen, Associate Professor of Physics
- Toqa Hassan, Assistant Professor of Digital Media
- Jamie Kozel, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing
Recognition Luncheon
This luncheon recognized faculty and staff committed to teaching excellence and student success. See the list of honorees recognized at the 2026 Celebrating Excellence event.