The Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Collegiate Lecturer and Lecturer Excellence in Inclusive Teaching awards, all of whom are faculty members of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education.
2025 Collegiate Lecturers
Collegiate Lecturers are selected based on a variety of criteria, including their demonstrated excellence in teaching, creative and original lesson plans, and effective mentoring or interactions with students.
Emma Davis, Lecturer II in the Dance, Theatre & Arts Administration
“I am so deeply honored to receive the award of Collegiate Lecturer for the 2025 academic year. Receiving this award is something that I never expected to happen to me. I’m a Lecturer II in dance, a field and position that can often feel overlooked, so the gratitude I am experiencing is immense. Last year, I was almost laid off after 13 years of employment for what I was informed was low enrollment. This year, I stand at convocation to receive the highest honor a lecturer can receive at the University of Michigan-Flint. It feels satisfying to be recognized for the work that I am passionate about, and for my work to be considered a definition of excellence.
“I thank my coworkers in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts for consistently advocating for my position and offering opportunities to continue my passion for dance and teaching on this campus. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with some excellent colleagues and mentors on the humanities side of academia, and for those connections, I am grateful. I thank my department chair, Shelby Newport, for supporting my nomination in this process. I also thank Beth Freiman, Lecturer IV in dance, for being a supportive colleague, collaborator, and friend over the past decade. Lastly, I would like to thank the lecturers’ union for consistently advocating for lecturers on all three campuses and making this award possible. Go Blue!”
Yael Sela, Department Chair and Collegiate Lecturer IV in Psychology
“I am deeply honored to receive this award. After a decade of teaching at UM-Flint, I remain committed to student success — both in the classroom and through service and leadership.
“I appreciate being recognized for my contributions, and I am grateful to the faculty, staff, and administrators who have supported me along the way.
“I look forward to continuing this work—and to finding additional opportunities for growth and improvement.”
2025 Lecturer Excellence in Inclusive Teaching
The university awards a lecturer who has demonstrated a sustained record of excellence in inclusive teaching and learning practices. Some of the criteria used to select the awardee include:
- A strong commitment to innovating learning activities that advance the quality and practice of inclusive teaching at a variety of levels
- A history of teaching methods that consider diverse needs and backgrounds, ensuring all students feel valued and have equal access to learn
- A demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, and guide students through inclusive teaching practices
Christian Vannier, Lecturer II in Anthropology and Lecturer I in Africana Studies
“For me, this award recognizes not only my commitment to our students, but also that of my faculty, staff, and administrative colleagues who have supported and encouraged me since my first day teaching at the University of Michigan-Flint.”
