2025 Faculty Awards for Teaching Excellence

Faculty Awards for Teaching Excellence honor faculty members in Arts & Sciences who devote special efforts to teaching and inspiring their students through lectures, seminars, laboratories, independent studies, and mentoring. In 2025, three faculty members were honored.

Jodie Allen

In recognition of her transformative contributions to teaching, scholarship, and community engagement, the Arts & Sciences Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence is proudly awarded to Professor Jody Allen. A member of the William & Mary faculty since 2007, and currently serving as Associate Professor of History and Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation, Professor Allen exemplifies the highest ideals of community-engaged teaching.

Her innovative courses, including “Finding Lemon,” “Memorializing the Enslaved,” and “The Education of African Americans in Virginia,” reflect a deep commitment to inclusive pedagogy and student-centered research. She skillfully guides students through complex histories of slavery and race in America, while fostering critical inquiry and scholarly growth. Under her leadership, the Lemon Project has become a national model for institutions confronting their historical ties to slavery, and she has extended this mission through public lectures, state appointments, and national media presence.

Professor Allen's work has reshaped both the intellectual and physical landscape of William & Mary. Her role in the establishment of Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved and the rededication of Hulon L. Willis Sr. Hall underscores her profound impact on campus culture and historical reckoning. A passionate educator, a gifted communicator, and a tireless advocate for reconciliation and justice, Professor Allen embodies the spirit of this award and the mission of William & Mary.

 Michael Daise

The Arts & Sciences Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence is awarded to Professor Michael Daise in recognition of his exceptional dedication to teaching, mentorship, and scholarly engagement. A masterful educator, Professor Daise creates open, intellectually vibrant classrooms where students are encouraged to explore differing perspectives, an especially vital practice in the study of ancient texts and traditions. His passion for teaching and deep subject expertise inspires students to become active participants in their own learning and in the academic study of religion.

A distinguished scholar in formative Christianity and Judaism, Professor Daise brings unparalleled rigor to the classroom. He teaches with the precision of a textual scholar fluent in eleven classical and five modern research languages, yet remains accessible and engaging to students at all levels. His courses, ranging from Christian Origins to the Dead Sea Scrolls and the co-emergence of Christianity and Judaism, consistently earn among the highest evaluations in the department, a testament to both his pedagogical skill and the intellectual excitement he fosters.

As Chair of Religious Studies, Professor Daise balances intensive administrative and research commitments with unwavering dedication to student mentorship. He has guided numerous independent studies and honors theses, including faculty-student research projects that have led to co-authored publications and international fieldwork. His work as a founder of the Judaic Studies program and as an editor of a leading scholarly journal further reflects his ability to bridge research, teaching, and academic leadership.

Professor Daise exemplifies the highest standards of the teaching profession at William & Mary. His scholarly depth, pedagogical creativity, and devotion to his students make him a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Chun-Ying Lin

The Arts & Sciences Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence is awarded to Professor Chun-Ying Lin in recognition of her outstanding commitment to language instruction, student mentorship, and innovative program development. Since joining William & Mary in 2019, Professor Lin has established herself as a dynamic and deeply impactful educator in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

As Associate Teaching Professor of Chinese, Professor Lin consistently creates a supportive, immersive, and highly engaging classroom environment where students feel empowered to grow linguistically and culturally. Her ability to meet students where they are, while holding them to high standards, has made her one of the department’s most admired instructors. Students regularly praise her for making Mandarin accessible, for her warmth and encouragement, and for her extraordinary dedication to their success.

Professor Lin’s contributions extend far beyond the classroom. As faculty advisor to the Chinese Language House and co-PI for the Project Global Officer grant, she has helped lead high-impact cultural and language immersion programs, including a summer initiative in Taiwan for ROTC students from across the country. Her mentorship has opened doors to prestigious scholarships and fellowships, while her creativity, ranging from bilingual newsletters to film festivals, has enriched student engagement at every level.

Her colleagues and students alike commend her precision, energy, and generosity. Professor Lin embodies the highest ideals of teaching excellence: a passion for learning, a talent for making rigorous material approachable, and a deep, personal investment in her students’ growth. William & Mary is proud to recognize her many contributions with this award.