Dr. Shaista Khilji, Human and Organizational Learning Department Chair and Professor, has been awarded the Graduate Faculty Teaching Award (Doctoral Level) from the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS), a distinguished recognition of excellence and creativity in graduate education. The award highlights outstanding commitment to pedagogy, including both classroom-based and distance learning, and celebrates faculty who demonstrate exceptional impact on doctoral education.
Earlier this year, Dr. Suresh Subramaniam, GW’s Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, nominated Dr. Khilji as the university’s official candidate for the honor. Her selection reflects not only her dedication to teaching, but also her influence across programs and the broader academic community.
“I am incredibly honored to have been nominated by GW for this award, and receiving the award has been the cherry on top,” said Dr. Khilji. “I see this recognition as a testament to the hard work of my students and the support of my colleagues at GW. For me, this award is also a reminder that teaching is much more than the usual markers of commitment to student learning, pedagogical excellence, and creativity. Teaching is truly a work of the heart—blossomed by purpose, empathy, and creating the right conditions in which learning and sharing of ideas can happen.”
The award selection committee noted that Dr. Khilji’s impact extends beyond the classroom, describing her as an inspiration not only to her students but also to faculty and leaders across the university.
Dr. Khilji will be formally recognized at the NAGS Conference in Montreal on April 17, 2026.
Founded in 1975, NAGS is a regional organization representing graduate schools across the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, supporting excellence and collaboration in graduate education.
This honor underscores Dr. Khilji’s enduring commitment to fostering meaningful learning experiences and advancing the quality of doctoral education at the GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development.