Jill Thorson

Excellence in Teaching, 2024

College of Health and Human Services

Jill Thorson, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders is this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award in the College of Health and Human Services. Over the years, Jill has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to teaching, with her work spanning both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her pedagogical approach reflects a deep understanding of student-centered learning, as she consistently differentiates instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Jill excels at making complex concepts accessible, especially in courses such as Language Acquisition and Clinical Phonetics. Her thoughtful integration of active learning strategies, use of technology and clear, well-structured presentations allow students to engage deeply with the material. Moreover, her dedication to student success extends beyond the classroom, as she regularly meets with students for one-on-one consultations and fosters a collaborative environment in her research lab.

Notably, Jill’s teaching has left a lasting impact on her students, who frequently describe her as passionate, accessible and inspiring. Her ability to transform difficult material into an engaging learning experience is unparalleled, as evidenced by the positive feedback from her students and colleagues. Some typical examples: “Dr. Thorson’s language acquisition class is what made me realize that I wanted to be a clinician … I have grown immensely from being part of her research lab … her mentorship will make me a well-rounded clinician.”

Jill’s remarkable dedication to fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment not only elevates the standards of education within the College of Health and Human Services but also inspires her students to reach their full potential in the field of communication sciences and disorders.