RMIT professional writing staff awarded $20,000 teaching prize

The teaching team for the Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria’s RMIT University has won the university’s Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

The team, which comprises Penny Johnson, Stephanie Holt, Liz Steele, Clare Strahan, Dzintra Boyd, Ania Walwicz, Olga Lorenzo, Yannick Thoraval and other sessional staff, were commended for their ‘passion, dedication and expertise in teaching and mentoring diverse students for sustainable careers’, and will receive a grant of $20,000.

Program manager Penny Johnson said she is delighted to see the course recognised for its ‘industry-relevant and practical’ approach. ‘The program nurtures writers and editors throughout their time with us. This ranges from engaging new students, through broad fundamental skills in their first-year studies, to nurturing specialist interests and individual projects in their second-year studies, to creating a dynamic community of graduates and industry partners,’ said Johnson.

The award also highlighted a number of the program’s key projects, such as the student-organised literary festival and anthologies, and broader industry collaborations.

Category: Local news