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Sheri Conklin Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

  • Kristine Adams
  • May 21, 2025
Sheri Conklin, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology and assistant chair of WCE’s Department of ITFSE
Sheri Conklin, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology and assistant chair of WCE’s Department of ITFSE
Photo: Amber Colon/UNCW

Sheri Conklin is the WCE recipient of the 2024 Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award. The award recognizes all aspects of excellence in teaching and in teaching-related activities that foster students' desire for lifetime learning and success. Dr. Conklin is an associate professor of instructional technology and assistant chair of WCE’s Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education.

Tracy Linderholm, dean of UNCW’s Watson College of Education presented the award at the 2025 UNCW Faculty Awards Celebration held on April 29.

“We are pleased to recognize Dr. Conklin’s exceptional work inspiring students and modeling excellence in teaching,” Dr. Linderholm said. “Her expertise has been vital in guiding the development of online learning at the Watson College of Education. Now serving as assistant department chair, Dr. Conklin continues to lead with innovation, scholarship, and heart.”

A proud UNCW alum, Dr. Conklin holds a BA in art history, a special education teaching certificate, and a master’s degree in instructional technology. She earned her Ed.D. in educational technology from Boise State University. Prior to joining the faculty at UNCW’s Watson College of Education in 2019, she was an instructional designer and later director of eLearning at UNCW. She began her career as a special education teacher and served as a department chair in New Hanover County prior to joining UNCW.

Dr. Conklin has previously earned the Excellence in Technology Integration Award (2012) and the Excellence in Teaching Award (2014). As a dedicated scholar, she has published extensively on topics including cooperative online learning, distance learning anxiety, instructor presence, and micro-mentoring. She led a research study to strengthen UNCW’s online and hybrid courses and is currently collaborating on integrating AI into education. Since 2021, she has received Watson College’s Most Peer-Reviewed Publications award each year. 

Dr. Conklin’s award was recognized in a UNCW home page story on April 30: UNCW Celebrates Faculty Awards Ceremony.

This article has the following tags: Academics Watson College of Education Accomplishments