Erik Stephenson
Humanities professor Erik Stephenson centers his teaching in the classroom around one thing: enthusiasm. It is this enthusiasm that conveys a message to his students that he is always available for consultation, no matter how small their issue may be. He responds thoughtfully, often by giving plenty of feedback, not only about submitted assignments but for students’ reading and writing skills in general. Erik also has a deft understanding of breaking down complex arguments into simpler, more accessible forms.
It was Erik’s compassion and enthusiasm that won him the 2016 New Faculty Excellence in Teaching award, presented to those who underscore Carleton’s commitment to teaching excellence and innovation.
Erik’s dedication to his students can be seen through the creation of a writing boot camp for second-year humanities students, guiding them to improve their writing skills and make academic-level connections within their course material.