University Canada West is proud to celebrate three exceptional educators whose leadership, innovation and dedication continue to elevate the student experience: Shereen Kotb, recipient of the Leadership in Teaching & Learning Award, Dr. Rafia Faiz, recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Teaching & Learning Award, and Dr. Kaye Hare, recipient of the Early Career Researcher Award.
Shereen Kotb: Leading With Purpose and Transformative Vision
Shereen exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and a deep commitment to student success. Her outstanding contributions to teaching, experiential learning and academic innovation have made a lasting impact on UCW’s learning community.
A defining hallmark of Shereen’s leadership is the creation and stewardship of UCW’s first-ever Model United Nations (MUN) Initiative. Recognizing the need for meaningful experiential opportunities, she assembled a faculty advisory team, secured institutional funding and led the successful launch of the program. Earlier this year, UCW sent its inaugural delegation to the Northwest Model UN Conference in Portland, Oregon, marking a milestone in the University’s history.
Recalling her own trials and triumphs, Shereen told graduates, “You’ve persevered, adapted, and turned uncertainty into opportunity. Many of you arrived in Vancouver from across the world. You balanced your studies with work, family, and responsibilities. You’ve built friendships that became families. As you leave UCW and begin the next chapter of your lives, I hope you remember that success rarely begins with certainty. It often begins with a question, just like ours did: ‘What if we just tried?’”
Shereen’s dedication extended beyond program development; she personally organized logistics and mentored students throughout the conference. Under her guidance, UCW’s delegates earned both the Outstanding Delegate Award and a Position Paper Award, an impressive accomplishment for a first-time delegation.
Her leadership continues to enrich UCW’s academic environment, empower students and strengthen the University’s culture of engaged, experiential learning. Shereen was presented her award during the ceremony on Wednesday, December 3.
Dr. Rafia Faiz: Advancing Student-Centered, Inclusive and Innovative Teaching
Recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Teaching & Learning Award, Dr. Rafia Faiz has demonstrated unwavering dedication to student success, pedagogical innovation and inclusive education.
At the heart of Dr. Faiz’s teaching philosophy is a deep commitment to meeting students where they are. She fosters supportive, student-centered learning environments where individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds feel valued, respected and empowered. Her classrooms are designed to nurture critical inquiry and confidence.
Dr. Faiz also had parting words of wisdom for the Fall 2025 graduates.
“When you are 'out there in the real world,’ remember to listen to your instincts. Keep thinking, keep learning, keep questioning, keep doing your homework, while remaining true to who you are. Your degree is proof of your competence,” she said. “And when competence is combined with conscience, courage, and care, it becomes something extraordinary. So never let anyone tell you that you are less than any other graduate.”
Dr. Faiz’s teaching practice is distinguished by its innovation and intentional design. She employs a range of multimodal teaching strategies, combining lectures with rich discussions, real-world case analyses, interactive activities and technology-enhanced presentations to ensure content is engaging and relevant.
Her influence extends well beyond her own classes. Dr. Faiz is a recognized leader in teaching and learning across UCW, contributing to curriculum enhancement, assessment reform and faculty development initiatives. Colleagues across departments celebrate her as a catalyst for positive change—someone who not only excels individually but also elevates those around her through mentorship, collaboration and an unwavering passion for teaching.
Dr. Faiz was presented her award during the ceremony on Thursday, December 4.
Dr. Kaye Hare: Driving Impact Through Research and Ethical Practice
Dr. Kaye Hare’s academic service is defined by her commitment to public scholarship and to ensuring that research meaningfully informs policy and public discourse. Her expertise in sexuality education has had national impact, most notably through her role as an Invited Witness for the Canadian House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health, where her pornography research was extensively cited in shaping updates to the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education.
Dr. Hare also brings her research-informed leadership to community sexual-health initiatives. As President of the Board for Options for Sexual Health and through projects like the SIXPo festival, she helps set strategic priorities and ensures that advocacy remains grounded in evidence. She views research as an engaged practice, one that strengthens institutions and supports community well-being.
At UCW, Dr. Hare’s leadership as Chair of the Research Ethics Board has transformed the university’s research environment. She has guided the REB’s transition into an independent, well-structured unit, co-developed key governance documents, streamlined review processes and expanded the committee to reflect UCW’s evolving research landscape. Through clear procedures and personalized support, she has helped build a rigorous, accessible ethics system that empowers faculty and reinforces UCW’s commitment to high-quality, ethical scholarship.
Dr. Hare was unable to attend UCW’s Fall 2025 Convocation and was awarded privately.
UCW congratulates Shereen Kotb, Dr. Rafia Faiz and Dr. Kaye Hare for their remarkable achievements and for embodying the University’s commitment to teaching excellence. Their contributions continue to inspire students, strengthen academic culture and shape the future of learning at UCW.
