Student Clayton March (centre) presents psychology professors Paul Davies (left) and Mark Holder (right) with the Disability Resource Centre’s I Am Accessible award. March nominated Davies’ for the annual award.
Disability Resource Centre presents annual academic accessibility award
Five professors were recently recognized as the most accessible at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
On September 3, the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) presented its annual I Am Accessible award to Jan Cioe, Paul Davies and Mark Holder from the Irving K Barber School of Arts and Science’s psychology department, as well as Mary Ann Murphy, a cross-appointment in social work and sociology, and Anne MacLean from the Faculty of Education.
“Every year the DRC asks students to nominate a professor who have demonstrated exceptional accessibility and provided unique opportunities for students to demonstrate learning in their courses,” says Diversity Advisor Earllene Roberts. “The five professors recognized all responded to their students’ needs in sensitive and insightful ways.”
As an expression of the university’s appreciation for their exceptional effort, the DRC presented each professor with an original painting done by five different artists who are members of the Kelowna’s Cool Arts Society.
The award also gave student nominators an opportunity to personally recognize each of the professors for their efforts.
- Jan Cioe: “Jan’s kindness, understanding, encouragement and genuine care made all the difference to me. Every time I needed to speak to Jan he was really listening.”
- Paul Davies: “Dr. Davies’ extra work for my exam accommodations prevented me from getting fatigued and helped me stay focused throughout the exams.”
- Mark Holder: “The student with disabilities is different but not less, a truth that Dr. Holder understands.”
- Anne MacLean: “Anne deserves the award as she treats all students with respect and acknowledges…diversity in a smooth manner. I was made to feel a part of the team instead of apart from my class.”
- Mary Ann Murphy: “Dr. Murphy is able, like no other professor I have met, to make her class an inviting environment of connecting with others, sharing life experiences and, offering a high standard of learning.”
To find out more about the I Am Accessible award and its winners, contact Earllene Roberts at 250-807-9263.
