Kim Landrum honored with Award for Excellence in Teaching

Kim Landrum, principal instructor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, has been named one of two faculty members to receive the University of Georgia Award for Excellence in Teaching, an honor recognizing sustained excellence in instruction.

Melissa Scott Kozak, a principal lecturer in the department of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, has also been honored with the award.

“It is an honor to recognize these two exceptional educators for their inspiring commitment to our students,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “They excel at nurturing an intellectual curiosity in their students while empowering them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Melissa and Kim represent the very best of our faculty and their tireless work to elevate the UGA learning experience.”

Landrum’s teaching philosophy revolves around three main pillars: curiosity, consistency and deliberate practice. She believes these pillars are the key to developing confidence, a necessary component in student success.

In her courses — from social media content and production to podcast branding and production — Landrum demonstrates an ability to adapt to emerging technologies and student needs while maintaining rigor, empathy and intellectual depth. In the past five years, she has designed and implemented several new, high-demand courses that have become cornerstones of Grady College’s creative sequence. Landrum also founded and directs the college’s Summer Studio Creative Portfolio Program, an on-campus summer experience for students interested in careers in creative fields including design, copywriting, content creation, strategy, photography and video.

“I’ve spent my life defending the value of effective visual communication and exploring what creativity means to me, so it makes sense that I would end up helping others nurture their own creative instincts,” Landrum said.

Landrum is a two-time recipient of her department’s Teacher of the Year Award, and she participated in UGA’s Fellows for Innovative Teaching program and the Active Learning Summer Institute. She is also the faculty advisor for the UGA Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), one of the largest student chapters in the country.

“Professor Landrum created an environment where everyone felt safe to fail. We would pitch ideas that fell flat on their faces, and she picked us up and kept us moving forward,” said Riley McLaughlin, a former student. “She reframed the idea of failure as an opportunity to learn and dig deeper.” 

A focus on excellence in teaching

The University of Georgia Award for Excellence in Teaching was established in 2021 based on a recommendation from the UGA Teaching Academy. The award highlights the university’s commitment to its teaching mission and recognizes teaching faculty whose time is primarily dedicated to offering outstanding instruction to students, promoting pedagogical innovation and providing an engaging environment for student learning.

Nominations for the award are submitted by deans and considered by a committee of senior faculty members and undergraduate students. Full-time faculty members who have held a non-tenurable teaching position at UGA for at least 10 years are eligible for the honor, which includes a $7,500 cash award. To learn more about the award, visit https://provost.uga.edu/academic-excellence/honors-awards/teaching-awards-professorships/excellence-in-teaching/.

Author: Mike Wooten, mwooten@uga.edu

Editor: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu