Dr. Lynn Hoekstra, director of undergraduate teacher education, is Columbia International University’s winner of the 2020 Excellence in Teaching award presented by SCICU (South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities).  

Since joining the CIU faculty eight years ago, Hoekstra has served students on campus, online, and internationally, teaching in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and China. She strives to inspire future teachers with excellence and passion, always remembering they will be teaching students rather than a curriculum. Because relationships form the basis of effective teaching, Hoekstra also enjoys her role as academic advisor, seeing herself as a mentor and model.

Last summer, Hoekstra was named 2019 South Carolina Project Learning Tree (PLT) Jerry L. Shrum Outstanding Educator of the Year for advancing environmental literacy and promoting stewardship to students.

Read more about Dr. Hoekstra at the SCICU website.

BestColleges.com ranks Columbia International University the 2020 Best Online College in South Carolina, and CIU is #2 in the state for Best College Campus. CIU also consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with increased enrollment and new academic programs. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.