Constance Smith (Economics Chair), Valentina Galvani, Dean Lesley Cormack, Faculty of Arts
Professor Valentina Galvani has been selected for a Faculty of Arts Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship. The Arts Teaching Awards Committee is composed of faculty and students from the Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The award criteria includes a command of subject matter, excellent planning and organization, being a valuable resource for both students and colleagues, approachable and concerned for student progress. Professor Galvani has demonstrated excellence in these areas and countless more.
Valentina was recognized as an outstanding lecturer and a caring mentor who makes all aspects of her students' professional and career development a priority. Also,Valentina has been a pioneer in securing Mitacs internship grants for students. She received her award at the Celebration of Excellence, Faculty of Arts held on Tues.April 26, 2017, U of Alberta Faculty Club.
While Professor Galvani takes teaching and mentoring very seriously, she believes learning can be fun. After teaching a course on the history of banking in Cortona in 2016, Valentina wrote a piece for the Department Newsletter about her experience which is revealing about her approach to teaching and mentoring at all levels. She said, "To me, lecturing is like dancing: it is essentially bi-directional. During the lecture, the instructor must lead the students of course, but crucially she must also allow herself to be led by students' feedback." As with dancing, at its best, class dynamics are "graceful, thoroughly enjoyable, and totally fulfilling." Students are "learning AND enjoying themselves at the same time, which is the jackpot of good teaching."
Congratulations to Professor Galvani on her award!