Brock University: Education Professor Recognized by Students for Outstanding Classroom Contributions

Ann-Marie DiBiase (BA ’96, BEd ’96, MEd ’98) works hard to provide an inspiring classroom experience — and her students have taken notice.

The Brock Associate Professor of Educational Studies was recently honoured with a 2024 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) Teaching Award of Excellence.

Every year OUSA, a provincial advocacy group representing more than 160,000 undergraduate students, asks each of its member schools to nominate a professor who has made a difference to the academic careers of students. This year, the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) received more than 100 nominations from across the institution.

BUSU Vice-President, External Affairs Alyssa Hall (BA ’23) accepted the award on DiBiase’s behalf at the OUSA Partners in Higher Education dinner on Wednesday, April 10 in Toronto.

“Although I did not have the pleasure of being taught by Dr. DiBaise, the nominations written by her students prove how dedicated she is to improving the student experience, both inside and outside of the classroom,” Hall said. “By prioritizing the mental health of her students above all else, Dr. DiBiase is setting up future generations of educators up for success.”

DiBiase has been a faculty member at the University since 2004. As a neurobiologist, her research focuses on psychological and behavioral disorders in educational and mental health settings.

“I am incredibly humbled and honoured to receive the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Excellence Award. This award has tremendous meaning to me as an academic because it is student nominated and endorsed,” said DiBiase.  “I consider undergraduate teaching my highest priority, with the greatest reward. Each year, my students inspire and motivate me to continue to evolve as a professor, seeking to optimize students learning and achievement.”