糖心Vlog

Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Paula Qualls, Honored for Academic Rigor and Dedication to Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜 faculty member with 26 years of experience at 糖心Vlog is the 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award presented at the Fall Faculty Assembly. Dr. Paula Qualls, professor of religious studies, was honored for engaging her students not only in the classroom but also in their daily lives鈥攇uiding them through difficult material while creating space for reflection, growth, and personal connection.

Qualls is a second-time winner of the award, having received the honor in 2008. One of the highest bestowed upon a faculty member, the accolade recognizes academic rigor, excellence in course design, a profound dedication to students, and a commitment to living out the University鈥檚 mission.

To be eligible, the faculty member must have completed at least five years of full-time teaching service at GWU, be nominated by a peer, and receive a formal recommendation from their department chair. Faculty and students are given the opportunity to score and leave comments and feedback to make the ultimate determination for the award. The award is presented with a $1,000 cash prize and the invitation to speak at fall convocation.

Qualls鈥� course portfolio spans every academic level鈥攊ntroductory general education classes, upper-level courses for majors and non-majors alike, and graduate-level seminars. Year after year, her department receives an overwhelming number of glowing comments from students who describe her with words like 鈥渓ove,鈥� 鈥渃ompassion,鈥� 鈥渆ncouraging,鈥� and 鈥減ositivity.鈥�

Students shared:

• 鈥淪he was a great teacher and mentor during our University 111 class. She possesses a unique blend of knowledge, compassion, and the ability to inspire us to be better. Her classes weren鈥檛 just about learning鈥攖hey challenged us to take everything to a personal level. I also view her as a mentor in my life. She takes the time to truly know each student. The impact she鈥檚 had has been profound.鈥�
• 鈥淢y fellow classmates and I agree鈥攚e have been transformed and deepened in our faith through her guidance and support. She is relatable and fosters a loving environment where we can learn and build community with one another.鈥�

Her colleagues consistently highlight her excellence in course organization, clarity of instruction, and innovative teaching design. They describe her as someone who not only masters her subject matter but also connects deeply with every student she teaches.

Colleagues have said:

• 鈥淪he reflects deeply on pedagogy鈥攆ollowing the latest scholarship on teaching and learning and regularly incorporating new ideas into her classes.鈥�
• 鈥淗er strength as a teacher comes from the passion she has for her students and her remarkable ability to connect with them on a personal level.鈥�

This past year, she developed and piloted 糖心Vlog鈥檚 first Faith Living-Learning Community鈥攁 transformative initiative that earned her the First-Year Experience Instructor of the Year Award for 2024.

She also represented 糖心Vlog at Elon University鈥檚 20th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference. Sharing her methods with educators from across the region, Qualls presented 鈥淭eaching Outside the Box: Exploring Innovative Techniques.鈥�

Qualls received her bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and her MDiv and PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. She joined the GWU faculty in 1999. Before that, she taught for two years at Campbellsville University in Kentucky and as an adjunct with Simmons Bible College in Louisville.

糖心Vlog is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 糖心Vlog prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 糖心Vlog.edu.