Teaching for Depth of Reflection: Madalina Akli Honored with College Outstanding Teaching Award

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Madalina Akli stands as she is honored for her award at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence, Photo by Thom Kendall

Madalina Akli, senior lecturer and director of both the Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) and the International Scholars Program (ISP), has been awarded the College Outstanding Teaching Award for the 2025-2026 academic year. Each year, Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) gives the award to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in their impact on students, teaching effectiveness and creativity, subject mastery and scholarship, and contributions to the teaching mission at the university and within the college.

Akli expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected on her commitment to her students and the Honors College. After 15 years of teaching and 9 years at CHC, she continually centers a fundamental question in her journey.

“How do I contribute to the betterment of the world through my teaching?”

She emphasized that this award reinforces her dedication and commitment to fostering a culture of care with students, colleagues, the Honors College community, and herself.

“... living by the standards of a culture of care is trusting that this is the humanistic, uplifting, and worthy way of living a meaningful life,” she explains.

Akli is Honored at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence, Photo by Theo Nims

Her pedagogical approach is rooted in the belief that high intellectual challenges require different work, not more work. She intentionally designs activities and assignments that increase depth and complexity of reflection rather than simply adding volume. Her students consistently rate her teaching above college and university averages.

Commonwealth Honors College Dean Mari Castañeda celebrated Akli’s impact at CHC: 

“Professor Akli represents the very best of faculty teaching at Commonwealth Honors College. She is deeply committed to her students, and this award beautifully reflects the immense dedication she brings to her work day-to-day. Through her leadership in ONSA and ISP, she has greatly impacted how our students view their place as global citizens, empowering them to affect change in every corner of the globe. We are incredibly grateful for Madalina and feel fortunate to have an instructor of her caliber inspiring our student community.”

Akli teaches various Honors courses including Honors 251H: International Issues, Honors 451H: Cross-Cultural Re-Entry Seminar, and Honors 252H: Cross-Cultural Communication. In addition to her classroom duties on campus, Akli also leads the Cyprus Winter Program at the University of Nicosia, where she teaches intercultural communication.

Akli with students in Cyprus, Photo courtesy of Madalina Akli

Through ONSA, Akli supports students and alumni pursuing prestigious and competitive national scholarships by providing advice and guidance throughout the entire application process. This includes programs like the Fulbright Program, Goldwater, Udall, and Marshall scholarships.

Akli advises and supports students in the ISP, a signature international program in the Honors College, as they prepare for study abroad experiences across the globe. The program introduces students to different cultural practices and norms, helps break down cultural stereotypes, and prepares them as emerging global citizens.

The College Outstanding Teaching Award (COTA) is a program co-administered by the UMass Center for Teaching and Learning. COTAs are presented annually each spring semester. All staff and faculty are eligible for the award and are nominated by their respective colleges each year.