Faculty Spotlight: Jeane Silva, PhD, EdD

AU Individual Teaching Excellence Award

Some faculty members are at home in the classroom. They measure their success by the success of their students. Jeane Silva, PhD, EdD, an associate professor at the School of Public Health and the recipient of the 2024-25 Individual Teaching Excellence Award, is one of those professors.

“As a faculty mentor, I am immensely happy witnessing my students’ academic and professional growth,” Silva said. “Their success is the most rewarding aspect of my work, and I am dedicated to supporting them on their journey.”

In 2018, Silva, a professor in the College of Allied Health Sciences, participated in a writing circle established by the Office of Faculty Development & Teaching Excellence. During that time, she worked on several projects and was highly productive, leading her to establish a space within CAHS to encourage faculty and students to write, support each other and network.

Three years later, Silva, along with Lufei Young, PhD, MD, and Deborah Jehu, PhD, created a health sciences writing circle with the intent of helping faculty and students set realistic writing goals, give and receive feedback from colleagues, make writing a habit and create a supportive team in a non-competitive atmosphere.

“Helping faculty and students set realistic goals is important in academia, and it is something we all struggle with,” Silva said.

The Brazil native is no stranger to awards. In addition to the Individual Teaching Excellence Award, she received the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative Faculty Retention and the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative Faculty Development awards in 2023.

“This award represents my passion for sharing information and helping students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their profession,” Silva said. “This award also reflects my deep commitment to my true love for teaching and learning.”

Silva’s love extends to nature, plants and animals. She was passionate about animal physiology and how chemicals influence the human body, leading her to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology. Her pursuit of continuing her education brought her to Augusta. After earning her PhD and completing her postdoc, she worked as a research associate and faculty member.

Now, in her 32nd year at Augusta University, Silva’s focus is on being the best mentor possible for all who pass through her classroom.

“I am truly honored to receive this award, which I dedicate to all my students whose hard work and determination made this achievement possible,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to continue doing my best as a faculty mentor and apply effective teaching practices to support student success.”