3M National Teaching Fellowship
The 3M National Teaching Fellowship is Canada’s highest honour for excellence in higher education teaching and educational leadership, celebrating exceptional contributions to student learning and the advancement of teaching practice.
About the 3M
The 3M National Teaching Fellowship is a community of educators who are deeply committed to advancing teaching and learning in Canadian higher education. Established in 1986 through a partnership between the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada, the fellowship recognizes individuals who exemplify the highest ideals of teaching excellence and educational leadership. Each year, up to ten Fellows are selected and welcomed into a vibrant network of scholars and practitioners dedicated to enhancing the student learning experience and contributing to the ongoing improvement of post-secondary education.
The Fellowship is a community of engaged scholars and practitioners
Becoming a Fellow represents an ongoing commitment to educational leadership. Fellows are recognized not only for past contributions but also entrusted with the responsibility to advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, champion inclusive and innovative practices, and engage in the national 3M community dedicated to improving post-secondary education. Fellows are expected to remain actively engaged through activities such as attending the annual conference, collaborating on projects, participating in summits, and presenting at STLHE.
Concordia’s 3M National Teaching Fellows
| 2024 | Rosemary Reilly, Professor, Applied Human Sciences | Concordia’s Rosemary Reilly awarded the 2024 3M National Teaching Fellowship Introducing the 2024 3M National Teaching Fellowship Award Winners |
| 2014 | Philippe Caignon, Professor, Éudes françaises | Concordia Professor ranks among the 10 best in Canada |
| 2013 | Jordon LeBel, Professor, Marketing | Jordan LeBel Presented with 3M National Teaching Fellowship |
| 1996 | Bluma Litner, Professor, Applied Human Sciences | 1996 3M National Teaching Fellows – STLHE |
| 1992 | Arshad Ahmad, Professor, Finance | 1992 3M National Teaching Fellows – STLHE |
| 1990 | Bill Gilsdorf, Communication Studies | 1990 3M National Teaching Fellows – STLHE |
| 1988 | Ron Smith, Education | 1988 3M National Teaching Fellows – STLHE |
Fellowship criteria
The Fellowship is grounded in three core criteria:
1. educational leadership
2. teaching excellence
3. educational innovation
While nominees may have particular areas of strength, they should provide compelling evidence of excellence across all three areas. As the Fellowship emphasizes recent impact on undergraduate education, nominees should be actively engaged in undergraduate teaching during the five years preceding nomination. Those with significantly reduced teaching responsibilities due to leaves, administrative appointments, or course release may wish to consider deferring their nomination until they can present a more robust and current teaching portfolio.
Nomination process and support
The nomination dossier has very specific requirements and requires the coordination of sections that are not authored by the nominee, including a nomination letter from a senior administrator. Therefore, it’s important that faculty interested in being nominated contact the CTL as early as possible to signal their interest.
Support for nominees
The CTL provides one-on-one guidance throughout the nomination process, including coaching on writing reflective statements, reviewing drafts, and coordinating required dossier components
Nominations are due in November for selection in the following year. Because key sections of the dossier require coordination with others, it is essential to begin the process early to allow time for reflection, drafting, and institutional review.
Timeline:
January: Deadline to express interest in being nominated
March: Draft Teaching and Educational Leadership Philosophy statements complete
April: Revise philosophy statements in collaboration with CTL staff
June 1: Complete first full draft of nomination dossier
June-August: Continue revising dossier with CTL support
September 15: Final dossier submitted for nomination letter preparation
November 1: Complete nomination package ready for submission to STLHE