Doctoral student Aviva Neff received an honorable mention in the 2017-18 Outstanding Writing Instruction Award competition. Neff showcased her dedication to students and willingness to try new pedagogical approaches in order to show them the variety of ways writing can inform an audience. One of the key features about Neff’s teaching the committee observed in their interview with her was her desire to tie history and current events together. She passionately discussed connecting historical events with modern poets, rappers, and singers to increase student interest by showing students the roots of the music they love. The committee was also impressed with how clearly Neff connected the learning that students do in her course to other courses and beyond students’ academic careers.