Professor Janet Gross
Professor Gross is known for wanting her students to learn confidence in their abilities and skills: to succeed in college, to struggle productively with new concepts or skills, to persist after falling short, and to self-reflect on what they have learned not only about the subject matter but about themselves. She cultivates a mutually supportive atmosphere in her classroom so students can feel confident that not only is she rooting for their success, but that their peers are also there to support them. Students who engage in one of her classes leave with improved critical thinking skills using analytical frameworks, a better strategic use of processes for comprehending readings, conducting research and scholarly writing along with a deeper knowledge of conventions for grammar, the ability to document sources, and exposure to critiquing their own work and the work of their peers.
Perhaps she says it best. “To me, inclusive excellence is not merely about understanding students’ different learning styles, cultural/ethnic/racial backgrounds, or family circumstances, but also empathizing with individuals and their unique personalities, competencies, and fears. I admit my own mistakes so students feel safe making theirs. I strive to be approachable rather than authoritative, compassionate rather than controlling, rigorous rather than rigid. There are two ‘L’s’ in the middle of the word ‘excellence’ which, to me, stand for two of the most important things I can do and promote in the classroom: Listen To and Laugh With my students”.
Janet R. Gross is a Lecturer in the English Department and Faculty for the First-Year Seminar Series in Academic Engagement and Transition Programs
Congratulations to our 2023-2024 recipient.