Department of English Ph.D. student wins prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University English Ph.D. student Morgan Shiver has been named the 2025 doctoral winner of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Excellence in Teaching Award, an honor that recognizes the region’s most outstanding graduate student educators.  
 
“WMU selects just one doctoral student from nominees across the University to compete against students from other top Midwest universities for this award,” says Department of English Chair, Dr. Todd Kuchta.  
 
Morgan’s selection and subsequent win mark a significant achievement not only for her personally, but also for WMU’s Department of English. “We're incredibly proud, not only that Morgan won, but also that she is our department's second WMU doctoral nominee in the past three years.” 

Shivers says students in her Youth Literature and Culture course allowed her to film a teaching demonstration as part of her portfolio for the MAGS submission. “Their enthusiasm and engagement served as a prime example of the collaborative, student-centered environment I strive to cultivate in my classroom.” She says community building is a key element of every class she teaches.  

The MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award celebrates graduate students who exemplify the teaching and learning mission of higher education. It highlights the critical role that graduate instructors play in mentoring undergraduates and preparing for future faculty roles. 

Reflecting on the growth and support she’s experienced over four years at WMU, Shiver says, “I’ve had the opportunity to develop and teach a wide range of courses that have challenged me and made me a more innovative and effective teacher.” She adds, “I am fortunate to be in a department that values and invests in graduate student teaching,”  

Each year, one doctoral and one master’s student are selected for the award, which includes a formal citation and a $750 honorarium presented at the annual MAGS meeting. 

Morgan’s teaching portfolio, which included a nomination letter from her department head and a video demonstration of her classroom instruction, stood out among submissions from across the region. Her innovative pedagogy, commitment to student engagement, and thoughtful mentorship reflect the values MAGS seeks to honor. 

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