Distinguished Faculty Award

2026 Distinguished Faculty Award  

Faculty is the heart of a Hood education and their influence and inspiration often stays with us for a lifetime. This award is designated to recognize and honor a retired faculty member who truly demonstrated a commitment to the four pillars of Hood College: Hope, Opportunity, Obligation and Democracy through their advising, teaching, mentorship, and support of Hood students. The recipient is honored during the annual Hood College Reunion Weekend.

Hoda M. Zaki, Ph.D

Dr. Zaki's career as an educator exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship and mentorship.her academic journey—from the American University in Cairo to earning her master’s and Ph.D.—shaped a global perspective that has informed her influential work. Her scholarship explores political systems through the lenses of race, gender and global context, enriching both her discipline and her classroom.

At Hood, she held numerous leadership roles, including director of the African American Studies Program and co-director of the Honors Program, and was named the Virginia E. Lewis Chair in Political Science. Her many honors, including awards for teaching and advising, reflect the profound impact she has had on generations of students.

Students consistently described Dr. Zaki as a transformative mentor who fostered an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Even in retirement, her legacy of intellectual rigor, compassion and dedication continues to inspire the Hood community, encouraging us all to fully commit to using our Hearts, Minds and Hands as we move through a constantly changing world.