UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Allison Henward, associate professor of education in the College of Education, has received the 2024 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award.
The award, established in 1992 by the Penn State Graduate School, is presented to faculty members in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and advising of graduate students.
Nominators said Henward is an exemplary educator, scholar and mentor who shows an unparalleled commitment to educational equity while making a profound impact in her field. Her research focuses on early childhood education, particularly ethnography, which is a holistic, culturally focused method from anthropology. She uses ethnography to foreground the experiences of children, families and teachers in education.
She’s consistently been recognized as an outstanding graduate teacher, mentor and adviser, nominators said. Many of her students are international students completing dissertations in their second, third and fourth languages and often half a world away from their home communities. She creates an environment where a diverse set of students can thrive and develop as scholars.
Her students praised her unwavering empathy and tireless mentoring.
“Her willingness to invest effort and time showcases her profound commitment to fostering academic excellence,” a nominator said. “It is through such personalized attention and unwavering support that she cultivates a nurturing learning environment, enabling her students to overcome challenges and thrive in their research endeavors. I am profoundly grateful for Dr. Henward’s tireless efforts and unwavering support. Her teaching and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping my research and academic journey.”
One of Henward’s most notable qualities, nominators said, is her unwavering commitment to student success. She’s an instructor, faculty lead and supervisor for various courses that are critical to the curriculum. She’s a leader in research, too, and brings her students into the process.
“She mentors her students by writing, by co-authoring and co-presenting with them, and also gives them deep and thoughtful feedback on their writing to allow them to develop as independent scholars,” a nominator said. “Her care and support can also be seen in the success her students have in moving on into research-intensive universities in faculty roles.”
Nominators said Henward connects with students on a personal level, giving them a deep passion for learning while showing them what it takes to become experts in the field. She doesn’t just want her students to understand the subject matter, she wants them to be inspired to dive deeper and become enthralled with research.
“I vividly remember sessions where she seamlessly integrated her own research data — raw field notes and video cues — into our discussions,” a nominator said. “These weren’t just lessons; they were immersive journeys into the heart of ethnographic research. As her students, we weren’t just spectators; we were active participants, dissecting data, unraveling narratives and envisioning ourselves as future ethnographic researchers. Her classes weren’t just about academic excellence; they were transformative experiences that sparked intellectual curiosity and encouraged us to venture beyond the confines of our comfort zones.”