Associate Professor Emily Davidson receives 2023 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching

The Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching recognizes a member of PLU’s faculty who embodies a commitment to excellence in their ability to communicate knowledge and inspire students. The award was presented to Emily Davidson, Associate Professor of Hispanic and Latino Studies.

The university sponsors the Faculty Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding accomplishments of the faculty in five areas of faculty work: teaching, advising, mentoring, research, and service. Their peers have nominated and selected the recipients, signifying their high regard among those who know them well.

A colleague wrote “Dr. Davidson represents the best of PLU in her efforts to foster an environment of care, inclusion, thoughtful inquiry and a love of learning. In particular, her work with first-generation and Latinx students, including heritage speakers of Spanish, demonstrates an above-and-beyond approach that has improved student experience and confidence and strong retention amongst this fast-growing student population.”

Davidson’s Spanish for Heritage Speakers course yields an outstanding 100% retention rate among first-year Latino/a/x students. Her commitment to affirming and legitimizing students’ Spanish language abilities is evident, as she provides them with the tools to expand their linguistic repertoires.

A colleague described Davidson’s teaching as transcending conventional boundaries. They wrote that “her courses destabilize fixed notions of identity and prompt students to critically examine history and culture. The transformative impact of her teaching is palpable, as students emerge empowered and equipped with a critical perspective that challenges oppressive dynamics and amplifies marginalized voices.”

Her dedication to fostering a supportive community is evident in the words of her students. One student noted, “In our class for heritage speakers, she told us over and over again that even if our Spanish is not ‘academic,’ or we have a different vocabulary, or a different accent, our Spanish is still legitimate and powerful. She helps us feel empowered and reclaim our heritage.” Another noted that Davidson’s “radical self-acceptance fostered a fiery passion for learning more about ourselves and our cultural backgrounds.”

Davidson’s teaching philosophy, phenomenal quantitative data, and heartfelt testimonials make her a deserving award recipient. Her impact on the Hispanic studies curriculum and the lives of her students sets a remarkable standard for teaching excellence at PLU.