Northwestern Engineering Names Winners of 2026 Cole-Higgins Awards

Five members of the Northwestern Engineering community have received the school’s annual awards for outstanding teaching and advising.

Gina Fong, Branden Ghena, Colin Hisey, and Suzanne Olds received the 2026 Cole-Higgins Award for Excellence in Teaching, while Greg Wagner earned the Cole-Higgins Award for Excellence in Advising.

Gina Fong 

Fong, a clinical assistant professor affiliated with the MMM program and Kellogg School of Management, was cited for “crafting a class experience that produces profound and long-lasting impacts in students.”

“Professor Fong is unlike any other professor. Her class is incredibly well-structured and she consistently seeks feedback to make it better for students,” one nominator wrote. “She is a wonderful sounding board for ideas, staunch encourager, and positive mentor. Her class was incredibly valuable to both my professional and personal development. I wish everybody could take a class with Professor Fong!”

Branden Ghena 

Ghena, an associate professor of instruction in computer science, was cited for “extraordinary efforts actively engaging students to support their success.”

“I have never seen a faculty member so active and dedicated in teaching a course,” a nominator wrote. “He is kind, patient, and approachable to every student, and I feel very lucky to have taken his course.”

Colin Hisey 

Hisey, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was cited for “responsiveness to student needs and feedback in reimagining the BME transport class.”

“He created an environment where giving feedback felt normal, not scary, and because he actually listened to us, the class got better every single week,” one nominator wrote. “Professor Hisey showed me what teaching can look like when someone leads with clarity, consistency, and genuine care.  And he showed me the kind of professor I hope to become one day.”

Suzanne Olds 

Olds, a professor of instruction in biomedical engineering, was cited for “innovative class design and management that maximizes student engagement and learning.”

“Professor Olds not only makes it clear that she truly cares about her students’ learning by providing ample support both in and outside of class for problem-solving, but she fosters a classroom environment where students feel set up for success,” one nominator wrote.

Greg Wagner 

Wagner, a professor of mechanical engineering, was cited for “efforts in building caring, compassionate, and effective advising relationships with students.”

“From the first day I met Professor Wagner, I knew I had been matched with one of the best advisers. He had everything set up, was extremely prepared, and had all of my plans written and plotted,” one nominator wrote. “I think I’m extremely lucky to have him as an adviser, to have someone who cares so much about his students. I am looking forward to the future as I continue in my academic career, with him as my adviser.”