2022 Teaching Excellence Award

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Dr. Amber Young-Brice is praised for her innovative, evidence-based approach to student learning. She has co-developed and now teaches a series of five courses for faculty and graduate students focused on excellence and best practices in higher education.  Young-Brice also co-developed and leads a Teaching Excellence Program that provides new faculty with mentoring during their first two years at Marquette.

“I have always loved learning, although it never was easy,” Young-Brice said. “I spent recess inside trying to learn math as a kid. In college, challenges continued, but I persevered to reach my goal of becoming a nurse despite setbacks, despite being told I couldn’t do it because of a physical disability. No one could tell me I couldn’t do it. As a nurse, I had the privilege to work in various areas ⁠— psychiatric center, surgical area and mostly as an emergency room nurse. I loved it, but I also loved precepting new nurses and having nursing students. Things finally clicked when I entered my master’s in nursing education in order to teach. I wanted to have an impact on students. This award is such an honor and one that affirms I am where I was meant to be — teaching others.”

When Marquette closed in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Young-Brice led a small team to create standardized course activities for each nursing clinical course, and to create and provide tools for nursing clinical faculty for effective assessment and grading of student performance in online clinical.

“Dr. Young-Brice is a master teacher,” said Dr. Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst, director of the PhD program and associate professor in the College of Nursing. “She walks the talk, integrating evidence-based teaching and learning practices into a myriad of educational environments effortlessly. She understands and utilizes a variety of educational theories and practices to deliver learner-centered, engaging experiences with students and colleagues. Her students get excited about learning and take initiative to meet and exceed expectations because she inspires them.”