Giulio Menciotti

Giulio Menciotti, Ph.D., DVM

Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
 

Giulio Menciotti, Ph.D., DVM, Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Spotlight by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The Excellence in Teaching Spotlight, presented by the center to approximately nine Virginia Tech faculty members each academic year, recognizes a faculty member's effective, engaged, and dynamic approaches and achievements as an educator.

Among the goals of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning are advancing experiential learning at Virginia Tech and improving student learning through research-based instructional practices and student-centered design. According to Menciotti, his approach to teaching focuses on conveying enthusiasm for the material, encouraging participation, and fostering a growth mindset among his students: “I want to stimulate class engagement by transmitting my passion for the topics to my students. I feel that when the classroom (or small group as in clinical teaching) is welcoming and exciting, you can really foster a growth mindset, where everyone feels included and has the best possibility of succeeding.”

One of Menciotti’s colleagues, Michelle Borgarelli, commended him for his skill in engaging students in the learning process, even when challenging concepts are involved: “Dr. Menciotti overcomes the challenges of explaining difficult concepts in cardiology by using an effective and simple approach, always supported by practical examples. He can target his teaching in a personal way so that each student feels involved in the process of learning.”

Nathan Mitchell, one of Menciotti’s current students, highlights his willingness to invest extra time in student learning and his knack for creating an inspiring environment that fosters a passion for cardiology and helps shape future veterinarians: "Dr. Menciotti is someone that is always willing to go the extra mile. Over the years, he has taken hours of his own weekends to meet with students for wet lab demonstrations. He puts immense effort into his lectures, and always encourages us to ask questions. Being one of the most knowledgeable and approachable doctors in this hospital, he creates a learning environment conducive for success. Additionally, his ability to teach and connect with students demonstrates why so many of us enjoy cardiology. Vet school may be a long road, but Dr. Menciotti paves that road for students to have the best possible outcome. As a result, he creates phenomenal veterinarians that will excel in whatever field they pursue because they have an example like him to look up to. It goes without saying that he is a crucial asset to this hospital, and we are very lucky to have him."

Menciotti provided the following advice for new college teachers: “Try to never forget what it was like to be a student.”