Excellence in Teaching, 2024
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Aikens exemplifies excellence in teaching through her dedication to transforming the student experience in the life sciences. She has been the cornerstone of Biology 412, a large Discovery D-Lab course, reshaping it into a model of evidence-based pedagogy. Through active learning, peer instruction, and innovative group work, she has created a welcoming and rigorous classroom environment that deepens student understanding, builds community, and reduces attrition in this critical gateway course.
Her impact is exemplified by this comment from a first-year student: “Your class was always a highlight of my week, and I found the lectures so interesting and valuable. I was so impressed by how you were able to make the big room feel small and make the material so engaging. I also really appreciated the group work aspect of this course, and it was just overall awesome to be able to experience a course like this taught by someone who was so good at making a big lecture fun and not scary!”
In addition to her teaching, which includes upper-level and graduate classes, Aikens was instrumental in bringing peer-led team learning to foundational biology courses. Her undergraduate and graduate advisees consistently highlight her respect, empathy, and ability to inspire confidence. A leader in STEM education scholarship, she has advanced teaching practices within the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) and across UNH, shaping how faculty engage students in mastering quantitative skills.
About this Award
Each year, the University selects a small number of its outstanding faculty for special recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service. Awards for Excellence in Teaching are given in each college and school, and University-wide awards recognize public service, research, teaching, and engagement.
