Maryam Khan receives Donald F. Morgenson Award for Teaching Excellence

The following is an excert from the full article, Laurier honours outstanding educators with 2025 Donald F. Morgenson Awards.

Wilfrid Laurier University is recognizing eight instructors who have made a significant commitment to elevating students’ educational experiences and inspiring fellow educators. 

The Donald F. Morgenson Faculty Awards for Teaching Excellence, Laurier’s most prestigious teaching awards program, was named in memory of Laurier Professor Emeritus Donald Morgenson, a longtime faculty member who passed away in 2017. 

"The Donald F. Morgenson Awards shine a spotlight on Laurier faculty members who are the foundation of the outstanding academic experience that students receive at Laurier," says Trish McLaren, associate vice-president: academic. "Each of this year’s honorees are making a significant difference for their students and colleagues through their exceptional teaching, innovation, and mentorship. Congratulations to them all!" 

Maryam Khan, Faculty of Social Work 
Faculty Mentoring Award

In an academic setting where reason and logic are the norms, students and colleagues express gratitude for Maryam Khan’s deeply personal, student-centred, caring and holistic mentorship.

During her six years at Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work, Khan has directly supervised and mentored more than 37 graduate students and research assistants, helping them navigate academic, professional, and personal challenges. Beyond conventional teaching and academic support, Khan’s mentorship fosters an environment where students feel heard, valued and open for growth and learning.

Khan created a peer mentorship program to provide structured peer support, ensuring students never feel isolated in their academic journey. In particular, she is devoted to mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds and ensures her classrooms are inclusive, student-driven spaces where diverse learning styles are honoured.

By ensuring her classroom is a safe space, Khan fosters authentic engagement with complex discussions on topics such as decolonization, anti-racism, intersectionality and ethical dilemmas in social work. Creative assignments such as Photovoice storytelling, critical reflexivity exercises and real-world case studies engage students and help them bridge social work theory and practice.

Through compassionate mentorship, critical pedagogy and a dedication to equity, Khan has helped reshape social work education and inspired students to pursue meaningful careers in advocacy and service. 

"Thank you for recognizing my labour of love for BIPOC and disabled LGBTTIQA+ students," says Khan. "I mentor and supervise students through care, kindness, and professional love through creative, transparent and reflexive teaching processes to share power with students."