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Outstanding teaching is a fundamental part of a Schulich Law legal education. The winners of this year’s Teaching Awards are committed to providing an exceptional learning experience, while making students feel supported, encouraged, and challenged in the classroom.

DLAA & LSS Award for Excellence in Teaching Law –
Alayna Kolodziechuk

This award is given in recognition and appreciation of excellence in teaching demonstrated by enthusiasm, commitment, dedication, and outstanding service to students. Nominations are made by current law students and a recipient is selected by a committee comprised of students and alumni.

This year’s recipient, Professor Alayna Kolodziechuk, is a Schulich Law alum with 10 years of experience advising businesses and not-for-profits in the creative and tech industries. She joined the law school community in December 2022 as the Director and Supervising Lawyer of the initio Technology & Innovation Law Clinic. 

Since teaching in the clinical setting means that learning is experiential, her philosophy focuses on maximizing real-life opportunities for law students that build their knowledge and confidence. “I believe that learning environments should be supportive and fun. Teaching is a two-way street and learning is interconnected. What is supportive for one student might not necessarily be for another. The gift of a small group is that it allows for a more individualized approach.”

She shares that learning by doing is so important within the context of the practice of law - and even more so, developing one's ability to learn by doing. “Lawyers continually refine their skills based on successes and other forms of feedback that an ongoing and active practice provides. This is one reason I emphasize reflection as much as I do and why reflection exercises are a key component of the clinic curriculum.” 

Kolodziechuk says receiving this award truly means the world to her. “I teach students in their final year of law school, so we spend time talking about life after graduation and developing a detailed plan related to their future practice. Learning about the specific interests of the students I work with helps me to do my job well. I believe that the better we understand our own values and what motivates us, the easier it is to bring into focus what feels successful for us. It’s extremely rewarding when students see themselves as future advisors and begin leaning into their own unique attributes and style.” 

Karina Scoggins, third-year student and nominator, says that Kolodziechuk was not only an effective teacher but also a positive role model. “As a professor, Alayna created an environment where people looked forward to coming to class and felt comfortable to ask questions and provide commentary in class. Despite the challenging subject matter and the long days in both the Clinic and the intensive, Alayna demonstrated enthusiasm and positivity each day, which made the students feel energized to learn.”

Hannah and Harold Barnett Excellence in Teaching Award –
Olabisi Akinkugbe

The Hannah and Harold Barnett Excellence in Teaching Award is given by the Law Students’ Society to a professor who teaches first-year law. Each first-year section collectively puts forward a nomination, and a winner is chosen by a committee of students.

This year’s recipient, Professor Olabisi Akinkugbe, has a PhD in law from the University of Ottawa, an LLM from the University of Toronto, and an LLB from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He joined the Schulich Law community in September 2017 after teaching at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Law School for two and a half years.

“When I learned I was nominated for this award, I was reminded that I am the product of two elementary school teachers,” shares Akinkugbe, who also serves as the Viscount Bennett Professor of Law. “My parents taught from the heart. Their legacy, amongst others, is the passion I share for teaching. I feel alive in the classroom.”

He says that he is a strong advocate of engagement in the classroom and strives to create a safe space for all to learn without being judged. His teaching philosophy puts an emphasis on the interconnectedness of the theoretical, substantive, and practical aspects of legal education.

“I seek to ensure that my students have a fundamental understanding of the basic principles of the courses I teach and encourage them to challenge the traditional canons of law through critical reasoning and by understanding the socio-political and economic contexts of the relevant society. I believe that the purpose of legal education is not only to pass on knowledge, but to teach students how to seek knowledge on their own and how to apply the law.”

Akinkugbe shares that this acknowledgement reinforces his commitment to his craft. “For me, teaching is not work – it is an opportunity to shape ideas and humanity for a better world. I cherish the opportunity and responsibility of shaping the next generation of legal scholars.”

His passion for what he does is evident to his students. One of his section B nominators says that he is truly deserving of this honour. “Professor Akinkugbe fosters an engaging learning environment through enthusiastic and participative teaching methods. He balances teaching with a busy speaking calendar and provides remote class materials in multiple formats to accommodate students with different learning styles. He also shows an interest in engaging with students outside of the classroom to balance the stresses of first year.”

Congratulations to Professor Kolodziechuk and Akinkugbe on their awards and a special thank you to all of our faculty for their hard work and dedication!