Is there an instructor who has inspired you this term? Complete the nomination form to celebrate great teaching at the University of Waterloo.

All nominations can be submitted through the application form below, from now to March 2027.

Two students smiling and holding a Teaching Awards plaque beside an OUSA sign at an Otago indoor event.

2025 OUSA Teaching Award Winner
Dr. Ben Feng, University of Waterloo

Dr. Ben Feng is an Associate Professor in Actuarial Science and the Director of the Master of Actuarial Science program at the University of Waterloo. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University and is both an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP-X). 

Ben is known for making difficult material come alive through real-world simulations, myths and paradoxes, interactive experiments, and engaging visual explanations. He encourages questions at any time, guides students through problems rather than simply providing answers, and goes well beyond the classroom. Students greatly appreciate his re-marking midterms late into the night to ensure fairness, staying beyond office hours so all student concerns are addressed, and offering valuable mentorship to students navigating career uncertainties. 

Quotes from Nominees

Being nominated for this award means more than the recognition received – it’s a powerful reminder to educators that their efforts truly matter. These words from past nominees highlight just how meaningful it is to know their teaching has made a difference.

I am deeply honoured to have been nominated for the 2025 OUSA Teaching Award and I am especially moved knowing that the nomination came from students. Their willingness to put my name forward is very meaningful to me. Teaching is the part of my work that brings me the greatest joy and it is a privilege to be part of my students’ learning and growth.

Dr. Jessica Van de Kemp, Sessional Lecturer, Department of English Language and Literature
Thank you for taking the time to write to me and to share my students’ feedback. Of course, I’m thrilled to know that my students are having impactful & memorable experiences in my courses, especially enough to take the time to nominate me for this award! 
Dr. Noorin Manji, Assistant Professor in Arts First & GBDA

I am so touched and honoured to have been nominated for this award! Thank you for sharing the news with me and for including the beautiful excerpt submitted by a student. I feel extremely fortunate to have such thoughtful, engaged students. I appreciate the work you put into recognizing instructor contributions and I send my congrats to the winner! 

Dr. Siobhan Sutherland, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts

I am honoured to have been nominated for such an acknowledgement.  I certainly do try to infuse practical and theoretical knowledge into the classes that I teach!  I’m touched that students would think of me.  Thank you for the information, and I pass my gratitude along to the students who considered my influence to be enough to warrant such an honour.  They deserve recognition as well for taking the time out of their very busy undergraduate career to think about acknowledging their professors 😊 

Dr. Pamela Seeds, Clinical Associate Professor, Teaching Stream Department of Psychology & Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment (CMHRT)

Past Recipients

Winners are announced at the March meeting of the Senate and awards will be presented at the Annual President’s Reception for Excellence in Teaching and Research in April.

Awards are given the year after the teaching year is recognized. For example, the award for teaching in the year 2014 was given in 2015.

  • Dr. Brian Doucet
  • Prof. Josh D. Neufeld
  • Dr. Faisal al Faisal
  • Dr. Kathryn S. Plaisance
  • Dr. Tara Bissett
  • Mohammad Nassar
  • Dr. Brenda Yasie Lee
  • Dr. Chad Wriglesworth
  • Dr. Norm Klassen
  • Dr. Frankie Condon
  • Michelle Ashburner
  • Prof. Rohan Jayasundera
  • Dr. Josh D. Neufeld