BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College honored a professor who fosters a learning environment where students are empowered to beyond what they believe they are capable of and who mentors students in ways that go beyond the four walls of a classroom.

Dr. Jessica Scott ‘04, associate professor of gender studies, was presented with the 2023 Award for Exemplary Teaching by Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Dean of Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs, during the Founders Day Convocation recently.

Scott said, “I was overwhelmed to receive this honor from Dean Linder and West Virginia Wesleyan College. The award is a profoundly gratifying affirmation of the investment in intellectual, emotional, and political energy I have poured into students on this campus since I began teaching at Wesleyan.”

Scott is well known for collaborating with other faculty to provide students with transformative educational experiences, according to Linder. One colleague shared, “This professor cares about students in ways that go far beyond delivering content in the classroom. She applauds their successes, encourages their dreams, sees them through their struggles. Her students love her back. They know they have been truly seen by her, and that she wants them to thrive.”

A student also shared: “She is a treasure we do not deserve. Not only did she take a class full of folks who were a little scared and unsure of each other and make us all trust, but she also gave us the space to be vulnerable and be honest with ourselves and each other. Her ability to facilitate class discussion goes beyond compare of any professor, I have ever had. She is truly amazing, and this class was raw and it hurt, but for the first time, I felt heard.”

Linder said, “I’ve rarely known a professor to give more of their time, resources, care and compassion to nurturing students in all aspects of their lives than this year’s awardee.”

Scott added, “I teach because I want to learn, and I learn from students every day. Any recognition of my teaching is also a recognition of Cynthia Brissey and the Center for Teaching and Learning at WVWC, which has been profoundly influential to my development as an educator.  Because state legislatures across the country are determined to attempt to censor critical areas of study, it is more important now than ever to have solid pedagogical tools that we can continue to rely on in teaching our students. I’m grateful to the Center for Teaching and Learning for helping us cultivate those tools.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.