Miami University Faculty Honored for Innovation in Disciplinary Writing
Miami University Faculty Honored for Innovation in Disciplinary Writing
This spring, the Howe Center for Writing Excellence Local Advisory Board awarded the Howe Award for Excellence in Disciplinary Writing Instruction to two faculty members who have done exceptional work to innovate writing instruction in their classrooms. Up to two individuals or teams from any discipline who are committed to teaching writing across time in their programs and divisions may be recognized. This year’s recipients represent the departments of English and Geology & Environmental Earth Science. The awards were presented by Provost Chris Makaroff and President Gregory Crawford at a university ceremony on Tuesday March 10, 2026.
The award recognizes faculty who ensure that students in their courses and programs are provided numerous opportunities to write and are supported in these efforts through innovative writing instruction across time. It may also recognize faculty who lead transformative faculty development efforts that support others in teaching and developing writing environments. The award seeks to reward work that creates and supports a culture of writing at Miami.
Katie Johnson, Western College Endowed Professor of English
Recognized for her long-standing contributions to Miami’s writing culture, Dr. Johnson was honored for integrating innovative instruction across a wide range of curricula. Her work spans the English Department, the Honors College, and international study abroad programs. Notably, Johnson’s pedagogy provides students with a wide range of writing opportunities, fostering work in genres that contribute significantly to professional development. “What I admire so much about the way Katie integrates writing into her classes, says nominator Elisabeth Hodges, “is this openness to the productive work of both creative and critical forms of writing and the way they can overlap and inform one another.” Her collaborative efforts with faculty across departments to design innovative writing experiences for students, and her success in guiding students toward publication were central to her selection for the award.
Claire Mcleod, Associate Professor, Geology and Environmental Earth Sciences
A leader in disciplinary writing instruction, Dr. McLeod was recognized for her impact on writing instruction in her individual courses, across the Geology graduate program, and for graduate students across the university. By prioritizing writing within a STEM context, she provides students with essential professional skills, including the ability to navigate complex grant proposal requirements. The award also highlights McLeod’s commitment to student mentorship, specifically through co-authoring research articles with students and her contributions to the Center for Teaching Excellence’s College Teaching Certificate. For McLeod, the goal is a fundamental shift in how students view their work. "I aim to provide a learning environment in which writing is not merely a form of communication but is a reflective and evolving practice," McLeod says, "that shapes how students (and I) learn, think, and contribute to our disciplines and society as professionals."
