Mark Seasons, recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award, 2011

School of Planning

Appointed a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2009, Dr. Mark Seasons exemplifies excellence in bridging Planning education and professional practice. His background includes years of professional work in Calgary and Ottawa before joining the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning in 1998. Dr. Seasons’ teaching is highly regarded and respected by undergraduate and graduate students alike, and he continues to play a key role delivering courses to members of the planning profession. He is described as possessing a “unique combination of intelligence, humour, and compassion that he persistently applies to the enrichment of students and faculty as a whole.” Welcoming students with his trademark, “hello colleagues,” he has the ability to connect with students at a personal level and encourages students to not only understand the material, but to be engaged and voice their opinions. Dr. Seasons is a strong and passionate advocate for students, always striving for fair and effective solutions in his administrative work as associate dean undergraduate, and most recently interim dean for the Faculty of Environment. Responsible for core first year courses at the graduate and undergraduate level, as well key capstone courses, Dr. Seasons has positively enriched and enlivened the learning experience for thousands of our alumni. As a teacher, mentor, and ‘colleague’, Dr. Seasons continues to inspire personal growth and a passion for planning.