Professor Chris Gareis selected for 2026 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award

Summary

Professor Chris Gareis has been selected for his course, Inquiry III: Program Evaluation. The Exemplary Course Program honors faculty and instructional designers for exceptional course design.

Full Description

This prestigious award is based on the Anthology Exemplary Course Rubric, which highlights key characteristics of high-quality courses within the framework of Course Design, Interaction and Collaboration, Assessment, and Learner Support. 

This award celebrates William & Mary’s dedication to delivering high-quality educational experiences, setting a standard for institutions worldwide. Their work is instrumental in shaping the future of education and stands as a testament to excellence in course design.

Associate Vice President of Academic Transformation Lisa Clark praised Professor Gareis, noting that his “remarkable contributions have enriched William & Mary’s academic environment, providing an exemplary learning experience through the innovative use of Blackboard.”

“This is exciting news and well-deserved recognition for Dr. Gareis. His course sets a high bar for thoughtful, high-quality learning design,” said Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs Jim Barber. “With the leadership of Denise Lewis, our online programs coordinator in the W&M School of Education, we have been working hard to improve the student learning experience in Blackboard Ultra. This recognition is a wonderful affirmation of that work and of Dr. Gareis’s exceptional contributions.”