Dr. Mary Oxner, a professor in the Department of Accounting & Finance in StFX's Gerald Schwartz School of Business, has been recognized for her commitment to excellence, receiving the 2025 Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Distinguished Teaching Award.
The AAU announced the recipients of its annual Regional Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership on Sept. 23, 2025. The three AAU Teaching Award recipients are: Dr. Oxner; Dr. Andrew Zinck, University of Prince Edward Island; and Dr. Rob Power, Cape Breton University.
Dr. Oxner and Dr. Zinck, each received the 2025 AAU Distinguished Teaching Award. This award recognizes excellence in university teaching over a number of years, primarily at the undergraduate level. Dr. Power received the 2025 AAU Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual who significantly influences teaching practice and the quality and breadth of student learning experiences beyond their own teaching assignment and context.
"I am both delighted and humbled by the honour. Incorporating experiential learning activities, practical and professional applications and humour into courses continues to make teaching interesting, relevant and engaging," Dr. Oxner said. "I am privileged to have the opportunity to teach our amazing students in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business."
"The AAU Teaching Awards program represents core values of our universities: student success, innovation, and leadership. Those honoured today are true innovators in the classroom, the laboratory, and community. Their commitment to great teaching is testimony to the high quality of student experience offered by Atlantic universities that inspires our students to become the next generation of scholars and community leaders," says AAU Chair Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, President and Vice Chancellor at University of New Brunswick.
The AAU represents the 16 universities in Atlantic Canada and serves as an advocate for the important role Atlantic universities play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation and in contributing to the economic prosperity and quality of life of the Atlantic region.
Dr. Mary Oxner
Dr. Mary Oxner, professor and chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business, is a dedicated educator whose teaching has left a lasting mark on her students, colleagues, and the wider community. For more than two decades, she has brought energy, innovation, and genuine care to the classroom, guiding students not only to master accounting concepts but also to grow as confident, thoughtful professionals.
Dr. Oxner's teaching philosophy is rooted in a simple yet powerful reminder from her earliest days as an educator: "Never forget that you are teaching people." She lives this philosophy daily, creating an inclusive, engaging learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and challenged to reach their potential. Whether it is transforming a classroom into a hub of collaborative problem-solving, providing clear and constructive feedback, or making sure students have the tools they need to succeed, she approaches her work with both rigour and compassion.
Students speak of Dr. Oxner as more than an instructor: she is a mentor, a role model, and a source of unwavering encouragement. One former student reflects, "Mary's teaching gave me the confidence to grow academically and personally. She believed in me before I believed in myself."
Experiential learning is at the heart of Dr. Oxner's approach. Her students regularly engage in hands-on projects that bring accounting principles to life, from analyzing real-world corporate governance cases to calculating the "cost of an egg" on a local farm. She has guided students in designing and delivering financial literacy workshops for vulnerable populations, supervised research projects that address real community needs such as financial literacy for resettling refugees, and integrated service learning placements into her courses to connect classroom learning with relevant, inspiring experiences. As one student writes, "Her approach goes beyond the traditional classroom, giving us opportunities to apply what we learn in meaningful, real-world ways."
Dr. Oxner's commitment to excellence extends beyond her courses. She has coached StFX's accounting case competition teams to repeated success, mentored new faculty members, and championed initiatives that diversify curriculum content to better reflect Indigenous businesses and underrepresented voices in the field.
Colleagues describe her as a tireless advocate for experiential learning whose leadership has transformed how accounting is taught at StFX and beyond. Through her innovative teaching strategies, dedication to continuous improvement, and unwavering belief in her students' potential, Dr. Mary Oxner has enriched the academic and personal lives of countless learners. The Association of Atlantic Universities proudly recognizes her as a worthy recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award for her exceptional contributions to teaching, mentorship, and community-engaged learning.
