By Usman Aliyu
Habeeb Abdulrauf, a Mass Communication alumnus of Kwara State University (KWASU), has won one of the most competitive teaching honours for graduate instructors in the United States.
Abdulrauf emerged as the 2026 recipient of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) President Pamela J. Cooper Graduate Teaching Award at the master’s level.
The notification of the award was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
The award, conferred annually by the Central States Communication Association, recognises only two graduate teaching assistants nationwide – one at the master’s level and one at the doctoral level.
NAN reports that this makes Abdulrauf’s selection a rare national distinction.
In its official notification, the CSCA award committee described Abdulrauf’s teaching as “exemplary,” citing his ability to create inclusive and engaging learning environments that support meaningful student development.
The committee said he was chosen after a rigorous evaluation of teaching philosophy, instructional design, classroom practice and supervisor assessments.
Abdulrauf will be formally honoured at the CSCA 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled to hold between April 14 and April 19, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The conference is the association’s flagship gathering, drawing communication scholars and educators from across the United States.
Unlike many academic awards that prioritise research output, the Pamela J. Cooper Graduate Teaching Award is dedicated solely to teaching excellence.
The committee noted that the association deliberately excluded student evaluation scores from its assessment process, focusing instead on pedagogical design, student-centred instruction and sustained classroom impact.
The criteria, it said, placed Abdulrauf among the top graduate instructors in the country.
NAN reports that the national honour adds to Abdulrauf’s growing list of academic distinctions.
In late 2024, he was also named the 2024–2025 recipient of the Departmental Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award at Western Michigan University, where he is currently based.
The award, presented by the university’s Graduate College, recognised outstanding teaching performance among graduate instructors within the institution.
Reacting to the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the recognition as “a proud and defining moment for the university.”
He congratulated Abdulrauf for being “a shining ambassador of KWASU on the global stage.”
He noted that the honour reflected the university’s academic standards and commitment to producing graduates capable of competing and excelling internationally.
The Vice-Chancellor urged students and alumni of the university to draw inspiration from Abdulrauf’s success and continue to pursue excellence with confidence and integrity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
