Notre Dame uses the Canvas learning management system (LMS) as its online platform for instructors to provide learning materials and activities that supplement face-to-face, blended, or fully online academic courses. That means when Notre Dame students go to access their course materials online, it’s highly likely their instructor is sharing them through Canvas.
The Canvas Legends Awards place the spotlight on faculty turning that seemingly routine task into an art.
“Hearing how our faculty are using Canvas to impact student learning from the perspective of the students themselves is nothing short of awesome,” said Steve Varela, director of the Office of Information Technology’s Teaching & Learning Technologies (TLT) team, which sponsors the awards. “Reading their nominations of their professors brings to life the types of best practices we share to help both students and faculty get the most out of their Canvas experience.”
Exceptional use of Canvas and/or its integrated tools can take any number of forms, and students are invited to submit nominations for reasons such as:
- The course is designed with student learning objectives in mind.
- Resources and workflow are built with an eye toward accessibility, from the beginning.
- The instructor uses Canvas to communicate frequently, give timely feedback on assignments, and/or otherwise keep students engaged with the course.
- The course, simply put, looks amazing.
From the nominations received, the TLT team selects instructors whose use of Canvas best exemplifies a Canvas Legend.
Among other honors, this year’s recipients—as well as the winner of TLT’s inaugural Teaching with Technology Impact Award—will be celebrated during a campus recognition event on Thursday, April 30.
2025–26 Canvas Legends
The TLT team is pleased to announce the 2025–26 Canvas Legends.
Department-Level Award
In addition to recognizing instructors, the TLT team felt the volume and breadth of nominations called for something more: a department-level Canvas Legends Award.
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is honored for the culture of intentional, student-centered teaching that it fosters as well as the collective excellence its faculty bring to their course design and student experience. These faculty include Saurja DasGupta, Dana Horgen, Dana Lashley, Brittany Morgan, Bradley Smith, and Sarah West, who are this year’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Canvas Legends.
Instructor-Level Awards
Josephine Akosa
Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of IT, Analytics, and Operations
From the Students: “Dr. Akosa transforms Canvas into a true learning space. Everything is clear, organized, and easy to follow. Her weekly notes, videos, and interactive assignments make the course feel alive and supportive.”
“She uses Canvas with so much care and intention that it genuinely elevates the entire class experience.”
Lisa Farmer
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
From the Students: “Every week is so organized, fun to use, and never confusing. There are GIFs, it is well-organized, and very fun to navigate and look at. Every professor should use her Canvas page as reference!”
Ashley Henry
Program Director for Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Development, Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence
From the Students: “Prof. Henry uses Canvas perfectly. All the in-class slides and other resources are organized in the modules folder in a way that is not overwhelming. The slides end with a class debrief and are all very engaging and creative. At the end of every class, she tells us the homework for the next class and posts homework assignments so as not to overwhelm students. I could not speak more highly.”
Erin McLaughlin
Teaching Professor, University Writing Program
From the Students: “She is so organized and skilled in Canvas! I am never lost and know everything I need to do to be successful.”
Joshua Seachris
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Philosophy
From the Students: “Out of all my professors, his course is the most organized and usable for students.”
“The course is the most visually beautiful Canvas page I’ve seen in my five semesters, the most accessible for people with disabilities, and the most clearly defined/merit-based course I’ve seen.”
Jing Wang
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
From the Students: “She has tremendous organization, with weekly sections. It is incredibly easy to navigate, to find what is due each day and what is required before each class.”
“It's very well-organized and thought-out. The clarity of instructions/tasks makes this class unique.”
Inaugural Teaching with Technology Impact Award
As part of this year’s Canvas Legends celebration, the TLT team will also honor the first recipient of its new Teaching with Technology Impact Award.
Elena Mangione-Lora
Senior Teaching Professor of Spanish Language and Culture, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
This award recognizes faculty who go beyond the tools themselves to use academic technology with intention, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered learning. Recipients will be selected based not only on what happens inside their Canvas courses, but also on how their philosophy shapes their classroom practice, their course design, and their engagement with the broader University community.
About Teaching & Learning Technologies (TLT)
Housed in the OIT and working hand-in-hand with Notre Dame Learning, the TLT team specializes in a range of areas related to teaching with technology, including learning management systems, academic software, learning spaces, learning analytics, and emerging technologies. This marked the third year of TLT’s Canvas Legends Awards.
Originally published by at learning.nd.edu on April 27, 2026.