Wong receives campus award for teaching excellence

Melissa Wong, GSLIS adjunct faculty member, is the recipient of the 2012 Campus Award for Excellence in Online & Distance Teaching. The award honors quality of teaching as well as the commitment and creativity of the instructor. It is given annually by the Office of Online and Continuing Education.

“It was an honor to be nominated by the School, especially given how many excellent teachers we have in GSLIS,” said Wong. “As a teacher, I receive outstanding support from the School and have the privilege of working with creative, passionate, dedicated students every day.  I think this award is a testament to the exceptionally high quality of every aspect of our LEEP program.”

Wong was nominated by Linda C. Smith, GSLIS professor and associate dean for academic programs, who praised her online teaching excellence according to the seven criteria evaluated for the award: sustained excellence, positive impact, innovative approaches, effective use of technology and media, creativity in course development and instruction, sensitivity to students’ advising needs, and influence on the quality, extent, and development of the department’s online education program.

In her nomination, Smith noted Wong’s regular appearance on the campus’s List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, her ability to create community in her classes, the experiences of students who praise Wong’s exemplary use of technology to support teaching and learning, and Wong’s use of “case-based teaching and problem-based learning that provide real-world applications and opportunities to build a portfolio of professional artifacts.”

Smith said, “Melissa Wong is an exceptionally engaging and innovative teacher, capable of appealing to diverse student learning styles and inspiring even the most reserved students to participate in the typically robust class discussions and activities. She also actively mentors new adjunct instructors, graciously sharing her course materials and teaching strategies.”

Wong was recognized for her achievement on April 24, 2012, at the Annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Scholarship provides validation, motivation for Martinez

BSIS+DS student Fabian Martinez chose his major because he wanted to learn how to help people understand and interpret data and information. While his immediate plans include finding a job in data analytics, business analytics, consulting, or product management, his ultimate goal is "to create meaningful relationships and help make a meaningful impact in the world" in whatever way he can.

Fabian Martinez graduation

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Guadalupe Castillo

Twelve iSchool master's students were named 2024–2025 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Guadalupe Castillo earned her BA in international studies and Spanish and Latin American literature from the University of California, San Diego.

Guadalupe Castillo

iSchool researchers to present at CHI 2025

iSchool faculty and students will present their research at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2025), which will be held from April 26 to May 1 in Yokohama, Japan. 

Kemboi receives the Research and Advocacy Social Justice Award

PhD student Gladys Kemboi has received the 2025 Research and Advocacy Social Justice Award from the Office of Diversity & Social Justice Education in the Office of Student Affairs. She was presented with the award at the Social Justice Awards Ceremony, which was held on April 8 in the Illini Union. The annual event honors and celebrates the work and dedication of University of Illinois community members seeking to create a more inclusive and equitable campus.

Gladys Kemboi

Garnes receives Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Carolyn L. Garnes (MSLIS '72) has received the 2025 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Library Association (ALA). The annual award, named in honor of award-winning children's book author Virginia Hamilton, is presented in odd years "to a practitioner for substantial contributions through active engagement with youth using award-winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading-related activities/programs."

Carolyn L. Garnes