History professor chosen for Excellence in Teaching Award
Assistant Professor of History Dr. Alessandra Brivio was one of 21 professors from member colleges honored by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) at its 2024 Excellence in Teaching Awards dinner April 9 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, S.C.
Each year, SCICU recognizes outstanding faculty members from each of its member schools. The awardees are each given a $3,000 professional development grant.
Brivio, who joined the Erskine College faculty in 2018, teaches courses in world civilizations, ancient Greek and Roman history, medieval history, renaissance and reformation, the Italian renaissance, and the history of medicine and disease. She serves as chair of the Department of History and Political Science and is the faculty representative to the Erskine Board of Trustees.
Her research focuses on biopolitics and popular responses during early modern plague epidemics. She is currently working on a manuscript titled “Between the Devil and the Holy Water: Plague Spreaders, Demonic Conspiracies, and Public Health in 17th-Century Milan.” A member of the Renaissance Society of America, she regularly presents her research at national conferences.
In 2021, Brivio’s faculty colleagues celebrated her achievements and leadership in the classroom with the Younts Excellence in Teaching Award.
Brivio, a native of Italy and an avid cook, regularly invites students to her family’s home in Due West to share a meal and learn about Italian culture and traditions.
“At SCICU we’re honored to recognize our campuses’ deep commitment to their students, embodied by these exemplary educators,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “Faculty members don’t often have the chance to be honored in the presence of families and friends. We’re always delighted to provide that opportunity.”
Pictured at top: Brivio speaks at the 2023 Signing of the Book for freshman women.
