Goldey-Beacom College Presents 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award to Dr. Gerard Hoefling

CONTACT: Janine G. Sorbello, Dir. of Ext. Affairs

PHONE: 302-225-6261

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DATE: August 3, 2026

Wilmington, DE (08/03/2026) — Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) is pleased to announce Dr. Gerard Hoefling as the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Joel Worden, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the award during GBC’s graduation ceremony.

The Excellence in Teaching Award is an annual award in which faculty peers nominate a fellow professor to recognize outstanding achievement in teaching at the College. Criteria include innovative teaching approaches, scholarship in the field, and service to the institution, particularly through student support and mentoring.

This year’s recipient, Gerard Hoefling, Ph.D., has been inspiring students for more than three decades by creating engaging learning environments that connect academic theory with real-world application. Student evaluations consistently praise his enthusiasm, thoughtful feedback and ability to make complex concepts both accessible and meaningful. Many credit him with strengthening their confidence as writers, researchers and future counseling professionals while preparing them for success beyond the classroom.

“It has been one of the greatest privileges of my career to teach at Goldey-Beacom College,” Dr. Hoefling said. “The relationships I’ve built with students have always been the most rewarding part of my work. Watching them grow in confidence, challenge themselves and discover their potential has been an incredible gift, and I am deeply grateful to have shared in that journey.”

Dr. Hoefling’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. He founded Goldey-Beacom College’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program and spent many years helping shape the next generation of counselors. He also taught internationally, bringing a global perspective to his work while fostering meaningful connections with students across cultures.

A respected educator throughout his career, Dr. Hoefling previously received an Excellence in Teaching Award in 2005 at another institution, where his name is permanently inscribed in its Mentors Circle in recognition of his contributions to teaching and student success.

Following a distinguished career devoted to higher education and student mentorship, Dr. Hoefling retired from Goldey-Beacom College on June 30, 2026. Earlier this spring, colleagues, friends and members of the College community gathered to celebrate his retirement and recognize his many years of dedicated service.

Dr. Hoefling, who earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University, has been an educator for more than 30 years. His career has included teaching, research and program development, with scholarly interests in the factors contributing to the development of Anorexia Nervosa, as well as experience supporting college students on the autism spectrum.

About Goldey-Beacom College

Founded in 1886, Goldey-Beacom College has approximately 1,100 students enrolled from 29 states and 65 nations. The College offers 48 degree options in its graduate and undergraduate programs with majors in psychology, economics, criminal justice, communication & media, human services, English, and all areas of business, including accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and finance.

The College is committed to connecting its graduates with careers in their respective fields. For over a decade, the College has long boasted a more than 90% positive outcome rate for graduates. Goldey-Beacom College is in Pike Creek Valley, a suburb of Wilmington, Delaware. The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

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