Hadzija's prescription for success: `That rare and precious thing--real conversation'
A model of teaching clarity, popular with students for her ability to make difficult topics understandable. This is how Boka W. Hadzija's colleagues in the School of Pharmacy describe the veteran teacher.
Wonderful, delightful, open to student input, presenting information clearly and logically, always putting students first. These are some of the many accolades the associate professor has received from students during the past 25 years.
Because of glowing comments such as these, consistent from one pharmacy class to another, Hadzija has received this year's Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching at Carolina.
Hadzija teaching skills are well-known amongst her students and colleagues. She has won three University Tanner awards for excellence in teaching and nine School of Pharmacy Best Teacher awards.
Hadzija said receiving the award represented something special.
"It is meaningful because it was given on the basis of what students feel and how they perceive me as an instructor, adviser and friend," she said.
Hadzija defines effective teaching as a combination of preparation, encouragement and accessibility. For that reason, she said, she never has office hours but prefers to keep her door open to students at all times.
"Teaching, in my view, goes far beyond classrooms and far beyond the presentation of course topics and content in classrooms," she said in a summary of her philosophy. "It encompasses the interaction of teachers with students on a one-to-one basis--or in small groups--including not only academic discussions but those of a personal nature, discussions of everyday events occurring in the student's life, his or her problems and plans for the future, and much more.
"Teaching encompasses that rare and precious thing--real conversation."
Generations of students have agreed.
Classroom evaluations include comments such as "a great professor who represents what a faculty member should be--a resource and friend of the students."
Another student said, "I can say without hesitation that Dr. Hadzija is among the finest, if not the absolute best, instructor I have ever encountered. ... Despite how busy she may be, her office door is open throughout the day for her students to speak to her, and I have never seen her turn anyone away for lack of time."
Pharmacy Dean William H. Campbell said Hadzija devoted her life to her students.
"And they have reciprocated with an unprecedented outpouring of affection," he said. "Generations of students, many now successful professionals and leaders in their communities, give credit to Boka for her dedication to their growth as students and citizens while at Chapel Hill. This is a love affair betwen countless students and a remarkable faculty member."
Hadzija said the most worthwhile part of teaching was being accepted by the students while they were in school and not forgotten by the graduates when they began their careers.
"They always come back to talk or visit," she said. "They tell me they remember my class and apply what they learned in their professions now. This is how I know I was able to impact their lives, professionally and personally."
Besides being able to touch her students' lives, Hadzija said a good teacher must remain up-to-date on developments in the field.
"You cannot be a good teacher if you don't have a research problem," she said.
Research not only provides relevant experience for classroom discussion, she said, it helps involve students in the excitement of research and discovery.
Hadzija, a medicinal biochemist, often is called upon by the N.C. Board of Pharmacy to analyze problems with various drugs, including drug tampering. In addition, her University research focuses on designing analytical methods for drug assays and studying drug stability--all of which is shared with her students in the classroom.
Eleven years ago, she developed and introduced an elective course on cosmetics sciences and technology. The course uses basic knowledge of cell biology and morphology as well as skin anatomy to develop a scientific explanation of cosmetic products' action and usefulness. It is extremely popular, with enrollment increasing from 12 students per semester in 1985 to more than 100 today.
A former student summarized Hadzija's popularity: "Dr. Hadzija is the best teacher this school has. She takes the time to care about her students and she presents the material wonderfully. Give her a very big raise--she deserves it."
The Board of Governors Award went to one faculty member from each UNC system campus, nominated by a special committee on his or her home campus. The 16 award recipients were honored with a bronze medallion and a $7,500 cash prize. This is the second year the award was presented.
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