Molly Dorsey

Excellence in Teaching, 2023

College of Liberal Arts

An expert in the history of war and society, medicine and law, Molly Dorsey offers impressively diverse courses across disciplinary boundaries. Whether for history, justice studies or the Hamel Honors and Scholars College program, Molly attracts students with her ability to capture and hold their interests. Her incorporation of “interesting stories” and “impactful questions”, as one student noted, “brought the material alive and made me grasp the significance of historical inquiry.”

Indeed, the enthusiasm of undergraduate and graduate students for her teaching is extraordinary. She receives consistently high praise for her passion and “remarkable ability to make history come to life.” Known for her high standards, her class assignments are both creative and demanding. In several courses, the students’ major assignment is to produce a documentary film as a group effort; and in the History of Espionage, for example, Molly asks students to play a game she has devised to highlight the challenges involved in analyzing intelligence and the factors that multiple actors must consider. Carefully crafted, these teaching methods have powerful results.

Describing her pedagogical approach, Molly emphasizes giving students what they need, not just what they want, and providing them the skills that empower them as lifelong learners. Relatedly, students appreciate being pushed to work to their full potential. One student commented: “I always considered myself a hard worker with high standards. Molly pushed me to a whole new level academically” and “always expected the best work possible.” Molly nurtures such excellence while always being compassionate, patient and understanding.

With unwavering commitment and innovative teaching methods, Molly has inspired countless students throughout her career.