Nurturing curiosity, resilience, and confidence

Sparking the desire to learn is one of the keys to becoming a successful educator and mentor.

Faculty of Arts and Science Professor Susanne Soederberg (Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Just and Inclusive Cities) was recently awarded the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Award for Teaching Excellence from the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) for her exemplary work in the classroom.

The Department of Global Development Studies professor joins 16 other Queen’s University professors who have earned this honour over the past 18 years.

The award recognizes educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people and has successfully engaged students in the learning experience. The OUSA represents the interests of approximately 160,000 professional and undergraduate, full-time and part-time university students at nine student associations across Ontario.

The OUSA has come together to protect the interests of Ontario’s undergraduate students by providing research and ideas to governments on how to improve the affordability, accessibility, accountability, and quality of post-secondary education in the province.

“A good textbook and a high-tech classroom are not enough to provide a quality education,” OUSA says. “An excellent instructor will be able to engage their students in the process of learning and discovery and help them develop the thinking and learning skills that form the foundation of a high-quality educational experience.  

Deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award, Dr. Soederberg explains why mentorship and supporting her students is important to her and critical to their development, both inside and outside the classroom.

“I have always been deeply passionate not only about sharing knowledge but also about helping students think critically and creatively, empowering them to explore and understand the complex issues shaping our global world,” she says. “Mentoring and encouraging students is central to this because learning is not just about absorbing information; it is about nurturing curiosity, resilience, and confidence. I want my students to feel supported in exploring new ideas, taking intellectual risks, and developing the skills to tackle challenges independently.”  

Learn more about the OUSA award on the website.