Graves, Quinlan and Cisneros Named Finalists for Charlotte’s 2025 Teaching Excellence Awards
Three faculty members from the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences have been named finalists for the 2025 UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Awards.
Finalists for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty:
- William “Bill” Graves, professor of geography
- Margaret Quinlan, professor of communication studies
The other finalist for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty is Luke Reinke, associate professor of reading and elementary education.
Jason Black, professor of communication studies, was also named as an honorable mention finalist from CHESS for the award for tenured faculty.
Finalist for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award for non-tenured faculty:
- Susana Cisneros, senior lecturer of Spanish
The Andrew Goff, lecturer of biological sciences and Nadia Najjar, teaching associate professor of software and information systems are the other finalists for the UNC Charlotte Award for Teaching Excellence for non-tenured faculty.
The awards will be presented at an awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Meet the CHESS Finalists:
Margaret Quinlan
Professor of Communication Studies
Quinlan is an impactful and respected educator, interdisciplinary curriculum builder and mentor who has worked to enhance student success since she arrived at UNC Charlotte in 2009. Quinlan views students as the heart of the scholarly enterprise and is inspired by teaching the next generation of scholars and practitioners.
“There is nothing like watching students’ eyes light up when they understand a theory or passionately defend their positions,” said Quinlan. “College and graduate school can be stressful, and the intersection of my passion, knowledge and understanding allows me to support my students successfully.”
Quinlan’s award-winning teaching is founded upon exceptional classroom instruction. Her students describe her as a supportive, enthusiastic and kind instructor who builds highly organized and rewarding courses. She has been a major contributor to the general education mission at UNC Charlotte, most recently designing a new course for the revised general education curriculum.
“From my very first class with Dr. Quinlan, I was struck by her unique instructional style,” said Margaret Rawlings, a graduate student of Quinlan. “She has an incredible ability to blend lectures, discussions and hands-on activities, making even the most complex topics engaging and relatable.”
Quinlan’s work delves into the intersection of communication, medicine, science and technology, as she investigates how communication shapes the understanding of medical expertise, illness, wellness, treatment and health. She consistently updates her courses around cultural and professional shifts in health communications, so that her students are engaged in timely and relevant subjects.
William “Bill” Graves
Professor of Geography
Graves is a highly effective teacher who uses storytelling to help his students develop an understanding of complex topics, connect personal experience to academic subjects and build a sense of community in the classroom. He wants students to see their surroundings and recognize how and when the environment influences their behavior.
“I tell stories to train students to think like a geographer,” said Graves. “The highest compliment I can receive is from a student that says my class ‘changed the way I look at the world.’ This unlocks a student’s ability to discover the mechanisms that shape that environment and shows them how they can make changes to that world. These are skills I see as essential for the future of students as citizens, community members and professionals.”
Graves teaches classes at every level, from introductory courses to graduate seminars. He regularly engages in independent studies with undergraduate and graduate students alike, and cross-lists courses with other programs in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences and the Belk College of Business.
“Dr. Graves’ teaching is very understandable and his presentations are very engaging,” said Layton Honeycutt, a student of Graves. “His teaching style kept me motivated.”
Susana Cisneros
Senior Lecturer of Spanish
Cisneros, a passionate educator and community connector, sees teaching as a journey of growth for both student and teacher. A former attorney from Argentina and a certified paralegal, she brings a global perspective and a community-centered ethos to her Spanish language instruction at UNC Charlotte.
“Teaching is a lifelong learning process for students, teachers, mentors and community
partners,” Cisneros said. “It involves encouraging others to be their best selves, to stop judgment and see opportunity and, most importantly, to become part of the solution. The classroom is where I belong and can become my full self through new experiences, challenges and happiness.”
Her philosophy is rooted in building authentic relationships with her students, the curriculum, and the community. She has students write letters on the first day of class about how she can best support them and creates language exchanges with peers in Argentina and Spain. Her focus is always on learning that is personal, contextual, and transformative.
“Ms. Cisneros’ love and dedication towards teaching motivates me to be equally dedicated towards my education,” said Ysabelle Blaine, a student of Cisneros’. “She is an exceptional educator who has made a significant impact on my college experience.”