Awards of Excellence in Teaching

Two alumni selected for the 2024 awards

Congratulations to Dr. Lynda Hutchinson, BA '01, Program Coordinator/Associate Professor of Psychology, and Trevor Medeiros, BA '15, Lecturer in the School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics (MEM), who were selected as the 2024 King’s Awards of Excellence in Teaching recipients. Dr. Hutchinson was recognized for full-time faculty and Medeiros was recognized for part-time faculty.

“Lynda and Trevor demonstrate daily their knowledge, passion, and dedication to their field of study, students, and alma mater. We are proud of their accomplishments, which serve as an inspiration to the King’s community. Congratulations to our distinguished alumni on being honoured with this prestigious award,” Terra Ahrens, Executive Director, Foundation, Alumni & Development, says.

Dr. Hutchinson and Medeiros were selected by a committee of students, faculty and staff who reviewed over 30 nominations from the King’s community.

Dr. Hutchinson has been teaching at King’s since 2013. Students consistently describe Dr. Hutchinson as an inspiring, engaging, and empathetic instructor.

“Receiving the Award of Excellence in Teaching represents a profoundly meaningful achievement in my decade-long career at King’s. I am deeply honoured to join the roster of esteemed colleagues who have been recognized for their outstanding teaching contributions. When teaching Psychology, my primary objective is to nurture students’ personal growth and foster a love for lifelong learning,” says Dr. Hutchinson.

The selection committee noted the breadth of Dr. Hutchinson’s teaching contributions, from regularly teaching first-year Psychology courses to supervising thesis students in their fourth year. She has served as a mentor and a supervisor to graduate students and provided support as the Psychology Program Coordinator. Her contributions also include curricular development, notably the capstone experience in the new honours specialization in Applied Psychology.

“Dr. Hutchinson demonstrates the synergy of teaching and scholarship in her publications in educational psychology, which have impacted not only in the academic community but more broadly in educational practice,” says Dr. Mark Yenson, Interim Vice-President and Academic Dean.

Medeiros teaches economics courses and has a consistent track record of creative, positive student learning experiences year after year.

His students appreciate him for his approachability, his dedication to their learning success, and his ability to communicate intricate concepts in ways that students can understand and apply. Students noted his self-reflection and commitment to receiving and responding to ongoing feedback. Medeiros’ contributions to curricular development include the development and success of his timely course on “The Economics of War.”

“As a former student at King’s, it is an honour to return to the institution as a faculty member and be recognized for my teaching efforts. I am blessed to have such wonderful students who took the time to nominate and support me for this award,” says Medeiros.

Committee members noted Medeiros’ outstanding record of teaching excellence and care for his students. One nominator said Medeiros “galvanizes his pupils to approach macroeconomics with a profound sense of curiosity and tenacity.”

The Awards of Excellence in Teaching are officially presented at a ceremony in November as part of the annual Feast of Christ the King celebrations. In addition to the awards, Dr. Hutchinson and Medeiros each receive a stipend and are invited to present lectures to the King’s community.