Yorkville University and Toronto Film School are proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the 2025-2027 SoTL Scholars, a pioneering group of faculty members leading innovative research in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
Launched through the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI), the SoTL Scholars program provides selected faculty with research funding and ongoing consultative support to enact research projects that enhance teaching and learning. Scholars will also participate in a two-year community of practice, present findings within the community, and represent Yorkville University and Toronto Film School at upcoming national and international academic conferences.
"We are beyond excited to launch the SoTL Scholars program here at Yorkville U and TFS and to support our faculty in carrying out critically reflexive, student-centred research that will contribute to more engaging and equitable experiences for students and faculty alike," said Dr. Jenny Ge, Senior Educational Developer for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in CTEI.
"Our hope is that each cohort will inspire all faculty here to reflect on and ask curious questions about their own classrooms and to develop their own SoTL projects. We also hope that through the community of practice, faculty will be able to build relationships with colleagues across campuses and programs towards collegial support, interdisciplinary collaborations, and knowledge mobilization."
The five projects selected for this inaugural cohort of SoTL Scholars reflect the creativity, dedication, and drive of Yorkville U and TFS's diverse and robust teaching community. The projects, listed in alphabetical order by title, include:
Bridging Cultures Through Inclusive Pedagogies in Liberal Arts Courses at Yorkville University
Scholars: Kate Carder (Bachelor of Creative Arts, Yorkville U ON) and Dr. Navdeep Kaur (Bachelor of Business Administration, Yorkville U BC)
This SoTL project seeks to embed intercultural learning and inclusive pedagogies into liberal arts curricula, empowering students through reflective and culturally relevant teaching practices that enrich the academic experience and enhance cultural literacy.
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The Grit of Doctoral Counselling Students and Faculty in an Online Doctoral Program: Overcoming Barriers and Improving Facilitators
Scholars: Dr. Stacey Hatch and Dr. Rosina Mete (Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Yorkville U NB)
Focusing on Yorkville U's online doctoral counselling program, this SoTL research explores the unique challenges and supports that shape the experiences of both students and faculty. The goal is to identify actionable strategies for fostering resilience, engagement, and student-faculty collaboration.
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Making Higher Education More Accessible to International Students: AI as a Tool for Bridging the Language Divide
Scholar: Dr. Sossie Kechichian (Liberal Arts, Yorkville U ON)
This SoTL project investigates how AI tools can help non-native English-speaking international students overcome language barriers in higher education, while promoting responsible use of technology to enhance learning without compromising critical thinking or academic integrity.
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Students' Voices on Gender: Understanding Gender Perceptions in Academic and Career Choices
Scholars: Dr. Rosalie Chevalley and Dr. Shimaa ElSherif (Bachelor of Business Administration, Yorkville U BC), and Dr. Taghreed Al-Zubaidi (Bachelor of Interior Design, Yorkville U ON)
This qualitative SoTL study amplifies student perspectives on gender and examines how beliefs around gender identity and roles influence academic performance and career decision-making. The findings aim to inform institutional efforts to foster greater equity and empowerment.
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Summative Assessment of Graduate Student Learning: An Appreciative Inquiry
Scholars: Dr. Diane Burt and Dr. Bernie Potvin (Master of Education, Yorkville U NB)
By examining the alignment of current assessment practices with adult learning principles, this SoTL project seeks to generate insight into how summative assessment can be more meaningful, equitable, and effective in asynchronous online graduate education.
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"I cannot begin to offer enough congratulations to our inaugural cohort of SoTL Scholars here at Yorkville U and TFS," said Dr. Tommy Mayberry, Director of the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation.
"Seeing these 10 incredible researcher-teachers come to the fore with these very exciting - and very needed - projects on teaching and learning in higher education is an absolute joy. It is a privilege to be able to launch and sustain their projects with our commitment to and leadership in teaching excellence and national thought-leadership in student-centred instruction."
Learn more about the SoTL Scholars program and follow updates on each project's progress at: https://ctei.yorkvilleu.ca/sotl-scholars-2-year-fellowships/
