UPEI’s Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald receives teaching and educational leadership award
Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald, a professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island, was presented with the Association of Atlantic Universities’ (AAU) 2024 Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award at the AAU’s fall meeting held at UPEI on September 19.
One of three AAU regional awards for excellence in teaching and educational leadership, the Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award recognizes an individual who significantly influences teaching practice and the quality and breadth of student learning experiences beyond their own teaching assignment and context. Dr. MacDonald was nominated for the award by Dr. Christina Murray, dean of the UPEI Faculty of Nursing, with letters of support from faculty members Lindsey Smith, Pat MacPhail-Darrach, and Ashton Dougan.
Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray, president of Saint Mary’s University and chair of the AAU, said, “The AAU Teaching Awards program represents core values of our universities: student success, innovation, and leadership. Those honoured today are true innovators in the classroom, the laboratory, and community. Their commitment to great teaching is testimony to the high quality of student experience offered by Atlantic universities that inspires our students to become the next generation of scholars and community leaders.”
The other AAU teaching award recipients are Dr. Andrea Morash, Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, and Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University.
“Dr. MacDonald is an esteemed faculty member recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for her expansive contribution to the advancement of nursing education and nursing leadership. Throughout her career, she has been an educational mentor and an inspirational role model of excellence to the hundreds of student nurses who have learned with her, and colleagues who have had the opportunity to teach, co-develop, or revise undergraduate and graduate nursing curriculum with her,” said Dr. Murray in her nomination letter.
The citation read for Dr. MacDonald at the awards presentation said in part that enacting a culture of caring is the foundation of her approach to educational leadership. She embraces the moral obligation to act ethically, through a lens of social justice, yet keeps caring top of mind when planning curricula, developing courses and learning experiences, and collaborating with colleagues nation-wide in establishing national accreditation standards and in her day-to-day interactions. She possesses the incredible gift to respectfully listen in ways that those with varied perspectives feel heard and know their ideas have been equally considered. Her work to incorporate the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action into nursing curricula is one example of this.
Since 2002, she has been a pivotal member of the UPEI Faculty of Nursing, leading all aspects of accreditation. She was the chair of the faculty’s accreditation committee in 2018 and is again leading the committee in the work that must be completed over the 2024–2025 academic year to prepare for the next Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) Accreditation site visit in March 2025. Most recently, she was elected the Atlantic regional representative on the CASN National Accreditation Review Board. This was the first time that a faculty member from UPEI has been voted into this esteemed position.
“Dr. MacDonald’s election shows a resounding degree of confidence among Canadian nursing educators in her expertise in advancing nursing education considering ever evolving accreditation standards and entry to practice competencies,” said Dr. Murray. “Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald is one of the most impactful nurse educators and nurse leaders in Canada today. She is most deserving of the Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award.”
Dr. Wendy Rodgers, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI, congratulated Dr. MacDonald on her award.
“Dr. MacDonald epitomizes the spirit of this significant AAU accolade,” said Dr. Rodgers. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated sustained leadership in teaching and learning that has innovated pedagogy and curricula in nursing. It is fitting that she be recognized for her commitment to educational leadership. Congratulations, Dr. MacDonald!”
