Congratulations to the recipients of NIU’s 2026 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award: Samira (Narjes) Rajabalipour, Hannah Dobbs, Lauren Luchetti and Johnson Kwame Wor. These four individuals have shown incredible dedication to student success at NIU through their efforts as teaching assistants.
Samira (Narjes) Rajabalipour
Described by peers as a “dynamic and engaging teacher,” Samira (Narjes) Rajabalipour served as a graduate teaching assistant in NIU’s Department of English from fall 2023 to spring 2025.
Tim Ryan, director of Graduate Studies in English, credits Rajabalipour on distinguishing herself as a mentor and advocate for the department’s international students, organizing and hosting monthly information and support sessions for international graduate teaching assistants. These sessions have addressed issues including cultural differences in teaching methods, classroom management and communication with students.
“Sam quickly became adept as a teacher in our program, drawing upon several years of previous experience in teaching English overseas, that she very soon established herself as a knowledgeable and encouraging mentor to incoming graduate teaching assistants and to her peers by hosting orientation and teaching demonstration sessions,” Ryan said.
As coordinator of the April 2025 Midwestern Conference on Literature, Language and Media, Rajabalipour encouraged M.A. and Ph.D. students to present their work at this long-running annual event, which draws scholars from all over the world. Rajabalipour and the conference’s co-organizer held advance sessions advising students on how to craft and submit effective conference proposals and how to present confidently and proficiently.
“Sam has demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching by voluntarily observing multiple class sessions taught by various mentors, instructors and other graduate teaching assistants in English to learn about different teaching methods, strategies and styles,” Ryan said. “Sam’s teaching materials, teaching observation reports and student course evaluations vividly demonstrate her commitment to teaching and her ability to inspire students.”
Hannah Dobbs
Lauded by students as an “amazing instructor,” Hannah Dobbs served as a graduate teaching assistant in NIU’s Department of Psychology from fall 2024 to fall 2025.
Mary Anne Britt, professor in the Department of Psychology, shares that Dobbs is generous with her time with new teaching assistants, wanting them all to succeed. She credits Dobbs with always being ready to lend a hand and answer questions, helping fellow teaching assistants gain confidence while working to improve.
“Hannah’s teaching style is warm, welcoming and helpful, and she is an excellent communicator. She spends time preparing for every task she is given or takes on, and she is passionate and enjoys teaching and mentoring,” Britt said. “This is my sixth year as coordinator, and she is one of the top teaching assistants I have worked with. She is also one of the most driven to improve her skills and knowledge to be able to teach in this interactive and high engagement method.”
As an administrative teaching assistant, Dobbs served in a leadership role during the PSYC 102 “TA bootcamp” Britt directed last fall. During this weeklong training for teaching assistants who will lead PSYC 102 sections, Dobbs modeled teaching of early lectures and the approach to getting students to read, construct responses and share them with the class. Dobbs also coordinated Blackboard training as part of her role in this training event.
“Her teaching is so excellent that I selected her to co-teach with me for four weeks to perfect our teaching materials. We had a great time teaching together,” Britt said. “She is a natural teacher and is skilled at getting students to share in class and feel comfortable trying. She is dedicated to the success of all students and tries hard to meet each student where they are.”
Additionally, Dobbs worked with Britt to revise a textbook to provide it at no cost to students. Dobbs reviewed and rewrote sections of three chapters to make sure they were comprehensible for students.
Lauren Luchetti
“She had so much passion for this class; you could see it from her presentations alone. Every week was a knowledge–rich lecture and the interaction she facilitated was amazing.”
PSYC 372 students and numerous other students have appreciated Lauren Luchetti’s work as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Psychology from fall 2020 to fall 2025. Lisa Finkelstein, area coordinator for Social and Industrial/Organizational Psychology, says Luchetti is a great asset to the department and its students.
“Lauren goes above and beyond the general expectations of the teaching assistant position,” Finkelstein said. “She is known in our department among her peers and faculty as the person who is most organized about expectations and policies. Lauren is the one who is always on top of everything and is a go-to resource.”
Finkelstein adds that Luchetti prioritizes mentorship in her teaching and has consistently volunteered for opportunities aimed at supporting undergraduate and graduate student development. In the previous academic year, she volunteered to be a mentor for an undergraduate student in psychology through Project Launch, a mentorship program operated through the Psychology Department. She and her mentee met every few weeks to discuss important topics including study tips, motivation, GPA, graduate school and job searching. Luchetti has also formally and informally mentored other graduate teaching assistants.
“Lauren is deserving of this award; she has been committed to her teaching assistant positions and most importantly the students since she began at NIU and is one of our key role models in the program,” Finkelstein said. “I have been here for almost 30 years, and she is absolutely in the top five of all the graduate student teaching assistants I have seen in that entire time.”
Johnson Kwame Wor
“Johnson exemplifies the very best of what a graduate assistant should be. His teaching style is warm, engaging and student-centered. He makes complex ideas feel approachable, creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard and encouraged to take creative risks.”
Johnson Kwame Wor has left a lasting, positive impression on students while serving as a graduate teaching assistant from spring 2022 to fall 2025 in the School of Art and Design. The same can be said for those who have supervised his work.
“As the former head of Art and Design Education with 50 years of teaching experience, I can see Johnson is deeply focused, highly capable and driven to succeed and has proven as one of the most effective graduate teaching assistants the division has ever had,” Kerry Freedman, professor in the School of Art and Design said. “His commitment to professional development is evident in his ongoing efforts to enhance his teaching practice. Just as impressive is his dedication to research and his willingness to mentor fellow doctoral students through regular participation and presentations with peers at prominent national and regional conferences.”
Johnson’s career in higher education spans over fifteen years, during which time he rose to the position of senior lecturer in Ghana by teaching a range of graphic design courses at two of the country’s leading design institutions. Since coming to NIU, Wor has excelled with students and gained the confidence of faculty. He was also appointed as instructor of record, a testament to his teaching excellence.
Freedman applauds Wor’s ability to multitask by teaching as an instructor, assisting professors with their teaching, performing classroom duties and leadership roles in various sectors of the university, and taking teaching improvement courses while excelling in his own coursework. Wor also has proven himself as an advocate for community at NIU by serving as an international student ambassador for International Students and Scholar Services, offering leadership and support to international students adjusting to new academic and cultural environments.
“Johnson’s excellent teaching and helpful mentorship has had a long-lasting effect on students, transforming their academic and professional journeys with his genuine support and leadership,” Freedman said. “Johnson continues to empower students and colleagues to develop skills that will carry them far beyond the classroom. His knack for turning daunting moments into opportunities for growth, whether coaching first-time presenters or fostering a collaborative spirit, has made him a trusted mentor who inspires students to reach new heights.”
