A passionate teacher who works to ensure his students, regardless of their level, learn not just content but the skills they need to solve problems long after they’ve left university, Dr. Marc Roussel has been named the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award winner.
Roussel, a professor of chemistry, is a dedicated and engaging teacher who combines extensive knowledge and understanding of his subject matter with innovative teaching methods, applications to real-world situations and the expectation of regular student participation — all because of his earnest desire to see students succeed. He will be presented with the Excellence in Teaching Award at Fall 2024 Convocation, Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the University’s Centre for Sport and Wellness.
Dr. Marc Roussel
Following an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University, Roussel joined the University of Lethbridge in 1995. A theoretical chemist, he has taught courses from first year to graduate school.
To provide students with the best possible resources for success, Roussel has written three textbooks, starting with a text for his second-year physical chemistry course. Roussel was also an early adopter of the “flipped classroom,” where students are expected to complete assigned readings before class so that class time can be spent working together on problems.
Roussel strongly believes in teaching students to use modern tools alongside instruction in the chemical sciences. This philosophy extends from teaching first- and second-year students advanced calculator use, all the way through to upper-level courses where computer-based problem solving is integrated throughout, enabling students to see how the theory learned in class applies in the real world.
He has found little things can make a big difference to a struggling student. Providing encouragement, saying yes to a reasonable request, including for his time, and looking for ways to make students’ lives easier are standard operating procedures for Roussel.
In his research lab, Roussel strives to provide mentorship that will prepare students for a variety of careers in the quantitative sciences. He uses a range of approaches to support student learning, including weekly meetings with each student, whether that student is an undergraduate taking an Independent Study or a PhD student, detailed written feedback at every opportunity, and a blog containing useful information on almost every stage of the student journey.
Roussel has been an excellent mentor not only for ULethbridge students but also for new faculty members and young people participating in science fairs. He was Head Judge of the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair from 2016 to 2020, Deputy National Judge-in-Chief at the Canada-Wide Science Fair from 2019 to 2023 and started a three-year term as National Judge-in-Chief this year.
Roussel has taken on several administrative positions in addition to his professorial duties, including being department Chair and more recently, Associate Dean in the School of Graduate Studies, where he supports graduate student learning through a variety of activities, notably by organizing discussion sessions for graduate supervisors where they can learn best practices from each other.
Throughout his career, Roussel has demonstrated a commitment to improving himself as a scientist and teacher and helping his colleagues and students do the same.