Graduation 2026: Dr. EmmaLeigh Kirchner recognized for teaching excellence with top award
Known for her dedication both inside and outside the classroom, Dr. EmmaLeigh Kirchner has been named the 2026 recipient of Mercyhurst’s Teaching Excellence Award. An innovative educator, mentor, and colleague, Dr. Kirchner’s commitment to student success and community engagement has earned her the university’s highest recognition for faculty achievement.
Dr. Kirchner serves as chair of the Department of Social Justice & Community Health and is an associate professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice. She also serves as the associate director of Global Programming and Study Abroad.
Throughout her tenure at Mercyhurst, Dr. Kirchner has been a dedicated advocate for her colleagues, serving on the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate. She has also supported student engagement as the faculty advisor for both the Criminal Justice Association and the Student Alliance for Prison Reform, reflecting her strong and meaningful relationships with students. In recent years, her primary passion has been studying abroad with students in a variety of countries, as well as deepening her involvement in the Mercyhurst Dungarvan experience—an initiative she is committed to expanding in the years ahead.
Alongside her colleagues, Dr. Kirchner recently co-authored “Criminal Justice Writing and Rhetoric,” an insightful guide to help students effectively communicate within the field.
Those who nominated her describe Dr. Kirchner as an engaging and driven instructor who is committed to building meaningful relationships with each student and ensuring their voices are heard. Students note that her classes are challenging and interactive, encouraging critical thinking while maintaining a supportive environment.
Her colleague, Attorney Tina Fryling, highlighted Dr. Kirchner’s unique teaching style. “From making and eating prison food to getting to know serial killers, Dr. Kirchner keeps her classes fresh with new technology and teaching methods,” she shared. “Sit in on one of her classes, and you will be amazed at her deep connection with students and her ability to challenge them to engage with the material.”
One nominator summarized her impact: “Put simply, Dr. EmmaLeigh Kirchner embodies the essence of the Mercyhurst University Teaching Excellence Award. Her unwavering dedication to her students is truly something to behold. She is tireless in her efforts to be pedagogically innovative and to engage students, while also providing guidance to the often-long line of students at her office door.”