At McGill’s Fall Convocation ceremonies on Oct. 19, five outstanding educators were honoured with a President’s Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Established in 2000, the award celebrates educators who inspire, challenge and empower students.
“Exceptional teaching has a lasting impact on our students and is fundamental to the McGill experience,” said McGill President Deep Saini. “This award recognizes educators who inspire curiosity, encourage discovery and create meaningful opportunities for students to learn and grow. Through their dedication to teaching, mentorship and student success, this year’s recipients exemplify the very best of McGill.”
This year’s winners (texts are condensed versions of their citations):
Jérôme Fortier: Faculty Lecturer category
Jérôme Fortier joined McGill’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics in 2018 and serves as a Senior Faculty Lecturer. He is widely praised for his ability to create learning environments that support students from diverse disciplines and with varying mathematical preparation. Combining humour with exceptional pedagogical skills, Fortier focuses on mathematics as a process of discovery rather than memorization. By linking abstract concepts to practical applications through familiar experiences and popular culture, he strengthens conceptual understanding while reducing anxiety and promoting academic success. Consequently, his students build a solid foundation for future courses while developing a greater appreciation for the relevance of mathematics in everyday life.
Beyond teaching, his work with the Committee on Undergraduate Affairs has helped evaluate Quebec’s CEGEP curriculum changes, supporting smooth academic transitions. Managing large classes of up to 400, he has established himself as one of the department’s most visible and influential educators, shaping the learning experiences of thousands.
Katelin Schutz: Assistant Professor category
Katelin Schutz joined McGill’s Department of Physics in 2021. Praised by her students for fostering collaborative, inquiry-driven learning environments, Schutz prepares budding scientists for a rapidly changing future.
As an inspirational lecturer, Schutz introduces cutting-edge ideas on the nature of dark matter into her courses, actively inviting students into the research process and equipping them with the tools to contribute meaningfully. Her courses are recognized as being among the most engaging and rigorous in the department. Her thoughtful supervision prepares students for independent, impactful research, and her mentorship equips them with the direction they need to succeed. Beyond the classroom, Schutz has demonstrated leadership through innovative curriculum reform, successfully redesigning and expanding departmental courses. As Chair of the Undergraduate Advising Committee, she continues to lead by example as an exceptional educator who removes barriers and inspires a lifelong love of learning.
Nicholas King: Associate Professor category
Nicholas King joined McGill University in 2008 and currently teaches as an Associate Professor with appointments in the School of Population and Global Health and the Max Bell School of Public Policy. Praised by both students and colleagues as an innovative educator, he has developed interdisciplinary courses that bridge ethics, data science, artificial intelligence and public policy.
Among his many contributions to higher education, King played a pivotal role in the planning and development of the School of Population and Global Health and contributed to shaping its core academic programs. His sustained excellence in teaching has been recognized with multiple awards and election to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Honour List for Educational Excellence. Beyond curriculum development, he serves as a tireless mentor dedicated to enhancing his students’ research, careers and personal flourishing.
Evgeniya Makarova: Course Lecturer category
Evgeniya Makarova began teaching in McGill University’s Department of Art History and Communication Studies as an instructor in 2019 and currently serves as a Course Lecturer. She is deeply committed to creating intellectually demanding learning environments in which students are encouraged to engage sensorially and critically with visual architectural and historical material.
Her passion for teaching is evident in her lectures, specifically in the energy with which she discusses artworks, artists and historical movements. In every class, she ensures that all students follow the material while understanding the nuances of visual culture and academic discourse within a welcoming, thoughtful and encouraging classroom environment. In addition to teaching core and specialized courses, Makarova has expanded the curriculum by developing innovative courses that engage students with emerging topics and perspectives in art, architecture and visual culture.
Johanne Poirier: Full Professor category
Johanne Poirier joined McGill’s Faculty of Law in 2015 as a Full Professor and the inaugural holder of the Peter MacKell Chair in Federalism. Students praise her ability to challenge them intellectually while offering support. Poirier continuously brings complex constitutional law to life through vibrant comparative perspectives. She thoughtfully integrates students’ diverse backgrounds into her coursework, ensuring that every individual feels truly valued and seen.
Her educational leadership extends far beyond the classroom. A champion of bilingualism, she expertly guides students through both linguistic lenses. Furthermore, Poirier’s exceptional mentorship has successfully guided graduate students toward prestigious clerkships at the Supreme Court of Canada and competitive postdoctoral fellowships. Through her tireless service on Faculty committees, she has spearheaded innovative curriculum developments, advanced Indigenous legal education initiatives and strengthened graduate education. Her profound impact embodies the highest ideals of academic excellence.
