Almaz Mesghina receives Daniel I. Linzer Award

The content and structure of her psychology classes promote belonging among all students

Almaz Mesghina has received the 2025 Daniel I. Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Equity. Mesghina will be honored at a reception later this winter.

Given annually by Northwestern’s Office of the Provost, the award celebrates individuals or groups who work collectively to build a more diverse and inclusive climate on campus and enhance diversity across the spectrum, including race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, age and political affiliation. The recognition comes with a $5,000 award.

Mesghina is an assistant professor of instruction in the department of psychology at Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. She is being honored for her impact on raising the level of belonging and inclusion for many hundreds of students each year as an instructor, advisor and colleague.

Mesghina teaches more than 300 students per year in her classrooms. She selects content for her courses that exposes students to perspectives and voices that often go overlooked in psychology and teaches her students the scientific imperative of doing so. The structure of her classes promotes cooperation between students, actively encouraging students to support each other on group research projects and on collaborative quizzes. Her research investigates the efficacy of these inclusive teaching interventions for equitably promoting all students’ learning and engagement.

Vijay A. Mittal, chair of the psychology department, said Mesghina’s approach to teaching helps students feel a sense of belonging in the Northwestern community.

Mesghina also provides support to the summer Bridge program, which assists incoming first-generation and/or lower-income (FGLI) students transitioning to college. Each year she leads four workshops for incoming first-year students that demystify the hidden curriculum of college in collaboration with the Academic Support and Learning Advancement team. She is an adviser and advocate for student organizations that support the inclusion and wellbeing of Black students and of Eritrean and Ethiopian students.

She also served on Weinberg College’s inclusive advising committee, contributing data informed recommendations to improve advising practices and assessments of current practices. As a member of the psychology department’s engagement committee, Mesghina created social activities designed to foster belonging and inclusion among Ph.D. students.

Original article by Stephanie Kulke published on Northwestern Now.