Dr. Julius Demps II receives multiple awards recognizing his teaching excellence
The University of Fredericton (UFred) would like to congratulate Dr. Julius Demps II on receiving two awards for his success and excellence in teaching. Dr. Demps is a faculty member at the UFred School of Business, where he teaches MBA and EMBA students in Leadership Theory and Practice, Strategic Human Resource Planning, and Recruitment and Selection courses. Dr. Demps is also a faculty member at Jacksonville University and serves as an active beacon of support within his community through his volunteering.
Dr. Demps' volunteering includes:
Serving on the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Health Foundation, focusing on raising funds for the hospital system in Jacksonville, FL.
Serving as a board member for the Clara White Mission which offers meals to the homeless population, provides shelter and vocational training for veterans, and operates a sustainable farm where individuals are employed.
Operating the Miss Senior Jacksonville/Miss Senior Diva Pageants with his wife. Participants within these pageants are 50+, and in speaking of the value it serves, Dr. Demps said, “these pageants are designed to breathe life back into senior women in the Jacksonville community and to provide them with a platform to give back to the community in their own way.”
UFred Academic Teaching and Excellence Award
UFred’s Academic Teaching and Excellence Award endeavours to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding faculty members who exemplify teaching excellence, unwavering dedication to student success, and meaningful contributions to the academic community. When asked what this recognition means to Dr. Demps, he had the following to say:
“It was such an honor to be nominated for the Inaugural Academic Teaching and Excellence Award!fallback markIt is an unbelievable feeling because there are so many great professors at the University of Fredericton who are deserving of this recognition.”
ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs’ (ACBSP) International Teaching Excellence Award is presented annually to faculty members who go above and beyond in their teaching. The awards begin at a regional level, with two recipients from each of the 11 regions. Following the regional selection, one faculty member will be selected as the international recipient. In discussing being a recipient of this award, Dr. Demps said:
"Receiving this award at the regional level is truly amazing! I owe a lot of who I am to my students as they bring out the best in me. I would like to recognize Dr. Michael Hobeck for being such an incredible leader and for nominating me for this honor. It is also my sincere hope that any recognition that UFred receives will inspire other students to join us as the educational experience is stellar."
“First, I would like to thank those who nominated me and to the selection committee who saw fit to present me with this very prestigious award. Your work does not go unrecognized, and I’m certain this task was not easy. Second, I would like to thank President Don Roy, Provost Sheri McKillop, and Dean Michael Hobeck for running a first-class operation. The manner in which you treat your faculty is truly outstanding. Next, I would like to recognize the other nominees, Dr. Ron Biron, Dr. James Bowen, and Dr. Valerie King for their contributions to the UFred community. I’m proud to serve our university with you and the entire UFred faculty. To the staff at UFred (i.e. schedulers, directors, alumni coordinator, academic support team, IT, and marketing), my interactions with you have ALWAYS been positive! You are consummate professionals and ambassadors. Finally, I want to let my students know that if they believe they are gleaning everything from me, they are mistaken. I’m constantly learning from you. You validate me and our relationship is symbiotic...one cannot exist without the other. The interactions that we have had thus far have been transformational and for that, I’m grateful. Let's take UFred to greater heights together!”
Dr. Demps' journey from professional revelation to educational calling
Dr. Demps’ journey into education blossomed unexpectedly. Despite a lineage steeped in educational tradition, he chose a different path. However, a pivotal moment during graduate school shifted his perspective. Observing a lackluster display of teaching ignited a spark within him, a belief that he could offer more.
At the same time, he encountered a challenging professional experience that inspired him to complete his Ph.D. The suggestion arose for him to pursue teaching to offer the flexibility needed in his career to complete this degree. From then on, teaching became not just a profession but a calling.
“I was given the opportunity to work with children who had disabilities as my first teaching job. The first day that I was exposed to those kids was transformational. It was as if we were made for each other. You could say this was when the "teaching gene" kicked in. It came so naturally because it was in my blood. The rest is history.”
What do you believe were some key factors leading you to these recognition?
“As a former Special Education Teacher, I learned a valuable lesson many years ago. I was taught that before you attempt to teach a child anything, they must know that you love them first. As such, I believe that UFred students know that I care for and respect them because I am honest and transparent. I have traveled to Canada six times over the past two years to interact with our students at the Student/Alumni Mixers because I wanted to meet these outstanding human beings and community servants. It has been a sincere and profound privilege to be in their presence.
Secondly, I understand that my job is to engage and entertain students for one hour and thirty minutes who have been at work for eight hours. I know they are tired from working and providing for their families while serving as leaders in their communities. Therefore, I bring lots of fun, energy, and enthusiasm to the classroom. I have created an environment where students actually "want" to come to class because they see it as an outlet. Over the years, many have informed me that they are upset when they cannot attend because they feel as though they have missed out on the fun! They truly make every effort to attend.
Finally, I refer to myself as a "tour guide" rather than a professor as our students are highly accomplished and already possess a wealth of experience. I use the Socratic method where we discuss concepts and issues as a family with respect and dignity. I provide a platform where they can share their experiences with their colleagues and help them to bridge the textbook theories to real-world practice. They are prepared when they come to class because they are assertive, smart, and they take full ownership of their learning. Ultimately, I understand that I do not own the classroom...they do.”