Knox Award recipient lauded for passion for teaching
Hakam Alomari ‘cares deeply about both his subject matter and the students he teaches’
•
Published
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University provost Elizabeth Mullenix, left, stands with Hakam Alomari, and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú President Gregory Crawford during the recent University Awards Ceremony. Alomari, an associate professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, was the 2025 recipient of the E. Phillips Knox Distinguished Teaching Award.
Knox Award recipient lauded for passion for teaching
•
Published
Known for his student-centered teaching and broad range of research-based strategies, Hakam Alomari delivers courses that foster critical thinking and engagement.
Alomari, associate professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, is the 2025 recipient of the E. Phillips Knox Distinguished Teaching Award. Established by E. Phillips Knox, a 1968 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University graduate, the award is given in recognition of creative, innovative, and engaging teaching methods at the undergraduate level.
Prior to joining ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s faculty in 2015, Alomari served as an assistant professor at Jerash University in Jordan. He earned his Ph.D. in Software Engineering at Kent State University after obtaining his master’s degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology and a bachelor’s degree from Yarmouk University.
One nomination letter praised Alomari for his ability to connect with students, citing his applications of both team-based and problem-based learning to promote collaboration and critical thinking, as well as his use of flipped/inverted classrooms and experiential learning activities.
“The flipped classroom model that he has implemented in his courses based on student feedback allows different learning styles to flourish,” the nominator wrote. “Students regularly comment on how the projects and assignments that Dr. Alomari assigns help them meet high standards while also focusing on learning.”
During the March 18 University Awards Ceremony, Elizabeth Mullenix, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s provost, called Alomari an “exemplary teacher-scholar.”
“One former student commented that Dr. Alomari’s excellent teaching stems from his exceptional communication skills, his flexibility, his understanding, and his deep passion for teaching,” Mullenix said during the event.
In his nomination packet for the Knox Award, Alomari wrote about how open communication and inviting student input build trust and mutual respect.
Alomari clearly communicates expectations and works with students to shape aspects of the class to ensure their voices are heard while also achieving learning objectives.
“My commitment to fostering positive student-faculty contact is evident in my dedication to treating students with fairness and respect,” Alomari said.
One student nominator wrote that while standards were high for Alomari’s class, they were attainable through trust, dedication, and communication.
“He took the time to listen and help me develop a road map for the term that benefited both of us,” the nominator wrote. “His high, yet achievable, expectations requiring trust and open communication ultimately led to a successful semester.
“Professors like Dr. Alomari are rare, and I sincerely wish there were more like him. He cares deeply about both his subject matter and the students he teaches.”
In 2017, Alomari was nominated for the Associated Student Government’s Outstanding Professor Award.
Another student nominator wrote that Alomari not only made an effort for students to learn the material but to appreciate its significance as well.
“We were learning topics such as accessibility in web page design – an incredibly important matter that ensures websites are usable by people with diverse abilities, making the internet more inclusive and equitable for everyone,” the nominator wrote.
“However, without the right amount of enthusiasm shown from our professor, students would not have gained nearly as much out of the lessons. Even two years out of college, I am still bringing some of the principles I learned in his class to my career.”
Alomari, associate professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, is the 2025 recipient of the E. Phillips Knox Distinguished Teaching Award. Established by E. Phillips Knox, a 1968 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University graduate, the award is given in recognition of creative, innovative, and engaging teaching methods at the undergraduate level.
Prior to joining ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s faculty in 2015, Alomari served as an assistant professor at Jerash University in Jordan. He earned his Ph.D. in Software Engineering at Kent State University after obtaining his master’s degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology and a bachelor’s degree from Yarmouk University.
One nomination letter praised Alomari for his ability to connect with students, citing his applications of both team-based and problem-based learning to promote collaboration and critical thinking, as well as his use of flipped/inverted classrooms and experiential learning activities.
“The flipped classroom model that he has implemented in his courses based on student feedback allows different learning styles to flourish,” the nominator wrote. “Students regularly comment on how the projects and assignments that Dr. Alomari assigns help them meet high standards while also focusing on learning.”
During the March 18 University Awards Ceremony, Elizabeth Mullenix, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s provost, called Alomari an “exemplary teacher-scholar.”
“One former student commented that Dr. Alomari’s excellent teaching stems from his exceptional communication skills, his flexibility, his understanding, and his deep passion for teaching,” Mullenix said during the event.
In his nomination packet for the Knox Award, Alomari wrote about how open communication and inviting student input build trust and mutual respect.
Alomari clearly communicates expectations and works with students to shape aspects of the class to ensure their voices are heard while also achieving learning objectives.
“My commitment to fostering positive student-faculty contact is evident in my dedication to treating students with fairness and respect,” Alomari said.
One student nominator wrote that while standards were high for Alomari’s class, they were attainable through trust, dedication, and communication.
“He took the time to listen and help me develop a road map for the term that benefited both of us,” the nominator wrote. “His high, yet achievable, expectations requiring trust and open communication ultimately led to a successful semester.
“Professors like Dr. Alomari are rare, and I sincerely wish there were more like him. He cares deeply about both his subject matter and the students he teaches.”
In 2017, Alomari was nominated for the Associated Student Government’s Outstanding Professor Award.
Another student nominator wrote that Alomari not only made an effort for students to learn the material but to appreciate its significance as well.
“We were learning topics such as accessibility in web page design – an incredibly important matter that ensures websites are usable by people with diverse abilities, making the internet more inclusive and equitable for everyone,” the nominator wrote.
“However, without the right amount of enthusiasm shown from our professor, students would not have gained nearly as much out of the lessons. Even two years out of college, I am still bringing some of the principles I learned in his class to my career.”
Established in 1809, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the E. Phillips Knox Distinguished Teaching Award? Visit the website for more information.