Victoria Talbot Receives Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award

Talbot was selected by a committee of peers based on nominations from faculty, students and alumni, to receive the 2022 Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award. Presented annually at commencement, the award—which recognizes dedication to and enthusiasm for the profession—is the most notable honor bestowed upon a Queens professor or instructor.

In addition to being Presbyterian School of Nursing professor, Talbot is also engaged with other Queens programs including the Preyer Honors Program, the Critical Thought Symposium and Interfaith Learning Opportunities. She has often traveled to underdeveloped countries to aid in improving health care and she has a passion for preparing students for the foundational, immersive training for health care professionals known as the clinical learning environment.

“Professor Talbot has been such a great mentor and the nurse I aspire to be in my career!” wrote one former student. “She is a wonderful teacher not only teaching us the content, but also the skills to think through any problem on our own.”

Known as an innovative teacher who instructs “with pure joy,” she is admired and respected by students and faculty alike. In fact, one of peers wrote, “I want to be Vicki when I grow up.”

“As an adult learner, I have not had someone to believe in me to such a degree in a very long time. Her belief in us allows us to believe in ourselves,” said a recent student of Talbot’s.

Numerous nominations mentioned her adaptability while teaching during a worldwide pandemic. One alum explained, “She has hands-down allowed us to transition to these times of COVID efficiently without causing undue stress to students in the final semester of the BSN program.”

“She is always open to take any questions, allowing myself and other nursing students to feel comfortable in asking those questions,” they continued. “She provides supplemental resources to prepare us for our transition to nursing upon graduating.”

Talbot not only wants her students to succeed in the classroom, but she equips them with tools to thrive in the workforce and the world.

It is obvious that Victoria Talbot makes a positive difference at Queens. As one student expressed, “[She] loves teaching as much as we love learning from her. This world could use more Vicki Talbots!”