The Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Awards for Excellence in Teaching are the University’s most prestigious recognition of extraordinary achievement and sustained effectiveness in teaching undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students. Congratulations to Professor of the Practice, Dr. Roya Ghiaseddin, who was one of three University faculty members to receive the award.
In large statistics courses, Ghiaseddin has a keen ability to guide students beyond “just earning the grade,” fostering deep conceptual mastery and empowering her students to cultivate lifelong intellectual assets. Students consistently note her profound commitment to personalized mentorship and her proactive adaptation to student feedback. Rather than emphasizing mere memorization of statistical methods, Ghiaseddin teaches students to understand “why statistical methods work, not just how to apply formulas.” Through “real-world examples, step-by-step problem-solving, and interactive discussions that reinforced core principles,” and aided by the infectious energy she brings even to early morning courses, students build enduring skill and confidence in statistical reasoning that many have found critical to their eventual success in quantitative research projects and graduate and medical school admissions.