UW’s Bourque Receives Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award

When new students interested in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources begin their journey at the University of Wyoming, Maggie Bourque is often the first person they will meet via the Saddle Up orientation program.

 

Bourque, a senior lecturer in the Haub School, is one of 10 recipients of the 2026 John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award, established in 1977 by businessman John P. “Jack” Ellbogen, to “foster, encourage and reward excellence in classroom teaching at UW.”

 

“She has been a leader of Saddle Up and an innovator in thinking about how to ensure student success from the first moments after they arrive on campus,” says John Koprowski, dean and Wyoming Excellence Chair in the Haub School, who nominated Bourque for the honor. “She approaches that challenge with empathy and excitement, instilling in students a love of learning that will carry them through their university experience.”

 

Luana Phelps, a 2021 UW graduate and now a consulting wildlife biologist/ecologist, recalls being a UW freshman and taking a group field trip, titled “Thinking Like a Mountain,” that was led by Bourque. Phelps recalls “feeling a bit dumb” when she asked why there were so many rocks in Wyoming as they drove from Laramie to Medicine Bow.

 

Bourque responded, “Great observation, Luana!” and proceeded to explain how Wyoming was once underwater.

 

“From that moment on, I knew she was someone who appreciated my curiosity, and someone who was genuinely passionate about teaching,” Phelps says.

 

Jordan Kobliska, internship and employment coordinator for the Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute, had the opportunity to be a first-year experience education fellow for Bourque during the summer and fall of 2022. During this time, Bourque mentored Kobliska as they co-taught a first-year experience course for the Haub School.

 

“Though I was initially intimidated with the responsibility of teaching, advising and planning events for a group of freshmen, Maggie supported me throughout the whole experience,” Kobliska says. “Her attitude and passion for helping students navigate their first year of college was nothing short of contagious.”

 

Since 2009, Bourque has been teaching in some capacity at UW. While still a master’s student, she served as a graduate assistant for UW’s Science Posse and an independent curriculum consultant for the Haub School. From 2011 to the present, Bourque has been academic programs coordinator, an assistant academic professional lecturer and an associate academic professional lecturer in the Haub School.

 

She is no stranger to being recognized for her teaching efforts. In 2016, she was a finalist for the UW International Award; was a nominee for a Promoting Intellectual Engagement Award in both 2014 and 2015; and a nominee in 2014 for the James C. Hurst “Each Student - A Person” Award.

 

“The foundation of Ms. Bourque’s teaching approach is her commitment to evidence-based pedagogy; her practice is aways fresh thanks to her engagement with the latest scholarship in teaching and learning,” Koprowski says. “She integrates cutting-edge research and methodologies into her courses, ensuring that her students benefit from the most effective and relevant instructional techniques available.”

 

Bourque received her joint master’s degree in natural science education and environment and natural resources from UW and another master’s degree in place-based education and field ecology from Teton Science Schools. She received bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and theater arts from Loyola Marymount University and in acting (Shakespeare) and modern drama from the British American Drama Academy in London.