The CAMD Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes outstanding accomplishment in teaching, impact on student learning, developing and/or evolving courses and programs for the needs of students today, and research-led teaching, community-engaged teaching, and/or professional development related to teaching. We are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s CAMD Excellence in Teaching Award.

Gloria Sutton, Associate Professor, Department of Art + Design and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program

Professor Sutton teaches foundational courses in visual literacy to a broad variety of Northeastern students, helping them develop a critical eye toward images, media, and visual culture; and she actively connects students to the arts scene and professionals of Boston, leading students in turn to produce work with impact beyond the classroom. She served as the Art + Design Program Coordinator of Visual Studies for over a decade, from 2012-2024, overseeing the structure and content of a large set of courses that benefit Northeastern students from many disciplines.

Student comments emphasize her passion for teaching and the degree to which she cares about and inspires her students. A student nominator wrote, “Professor Sutton’s ARTH4000 seminar is truly the reason I go to college! She upholds a high level of intellectual rigor while sustaining an atmosphere that is genuinely motivating and encouraging. . . Her guidance reflects a belief in each student’s capacity to grow and contribute meaningfully to the discipline.” The faculty review committee notes, “Gloria Sutton has made substantial achievements teaching diverse groups of students at the foundations level and in large-enrollment classes; she displays a deep commitment to inclusive teaching practices, and her students frequently note the transformative impact of her teaching.”

Dan Zedek, Professor of the Practice, School of Journalism

Professor Zedek teaches courses on media innovation, including data visualization, design, project management, and visual editing; and serves as faculty advisor to Storybench, the School of Journalism’s online publication dedicated to exploring data and digital storytelling. He brings decades of journalistic experience to his students, including years as creative director of the Boston Globe and BostonGlobe.com, where he led teams in print, digital design, news development, data visualization, and infographics.

Student comments emphasize his ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment and his sustained commitment to student success. A student nominator writes, “It is rare to encounter a professor who is both exceptionally accomplished and deeply intelligent, yet equally capable of translating that expertise to students with clarity, compassion, and generosity. Dan Zedek embodies that balance. He is consistently approachable, endlessly patient, and always willing to engage with questions at any hour—never once signaling that a question might fall short of his considerable expertise.” The faculty review committee notes, “Dan Zedek is a deeply energetic teacher who displays an imaginative commitment to journalism pedagogy; he emphasizes ethical, inclusive learning in the classroom, and his students engage in real-world, high-stakes projects and publish their work in national outlets.”

Many thanks to this year’s Excellence in Teaching Awards Committee:

Sophia Ainslie, Teaching Professor, Art + Design
Ryan Ellis, Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Sara Hendren, Associate Professor, Art + Design and Architecture
Matthew McDonald, Associate Professor, Music
Frances McSherry, Teaching Professor, Theater