Teaching Excellence Award Presented to Professor of Rhetoric and Writing

The 2023 Bloomfield College Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Associate Professor of Writing and Coordinator of Writing and Analysis Fiona “Freddie” Harris-Ramsby at the College’s 150th Commencement held on May 20, 2023.

“This award acknowledges teaching excellence through creative, supportive and rigorous teaching – with an emphasis on student-centered learning in and out of the classroom,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Michael A. Palladino, Ph.D. “Dr. Harris-Ramsby encapsulates everything the selection committee looks for in identifying the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. I extend my congratulations!”

Earlier in the week, as is tradition for the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, Harris-Ramsby was honored with an invitation to deliver the “2023 Baccalaureate Address” at this annual ceremony that recognizes the high academic accomplishments of students who are graduating with Latin honors and students who are either members of the Bloomfield College Honors Program, members of one of the national honor societies or a military veteran.

In delivering the Baccalaureate address, Harris-Ramsby said “I’d like to thank the faculty for recognizing and ratifying my nomination for the teaching excellence award. But most of all I’d like to thank the students and other folks for nominating me in the first place.” She continued, “Teaching at Bloomfield College has been and is an absolute privilege. This institution has my heart and my soul. And that is because of you,” she said, looking directly at the students.

Harris-Ramsby first joined the Division of Humanities at Bloomfield College as a visiting assistant professor in fall 2014. Her scholarly work focuses on critical discourse analysis, ancient rhetorics (classical and renaissance) and contemporary rhetorics of science, embodiment and performance. She earned a B.A. in English/Linguistics and her M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric from California State University San Bernardino, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah.

The Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award selection committee is comprised of three members of the Faculty Council and the Chair of the Faculty, each from different divisions, who are informed by the information in submitted nominations forms. All members of the College community are invited to nominate a member of the full-time faculty via the online form.

In ranking the nominees, the selection committee reviews submitted information on how each demonstrates student learning as a top priority, how they inspire students to pursue the critical thinking, technical, and relationship skills needed to reach their full potential in their discipline of study, and how they demonstrate excellence in innovation in pedagogy and educational technology, among other criteria.

Photo: The 2023 Bloomfield College Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, Associate Professor of Writing and Coordinator of Writing and Analysis Fiona “Freddie” Harris-Ramsby, gave the Baccalaureate Address during the College’s 150th Commencement week ceremonies and events.