麻花视频 University is proud to announce that Tara Grealis, Professional Educator of Accounting, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award.
A resident of Somers, Connecticut, Professor Grealis has been a full-time faculty member in the College of Business for the past nine years. She brings more than 15 years of industry experience in financial leadership roles across Massachusetts and Connecticut—including service as CFO of a publicly traded bank — to her role as an educator. She is deeply committed to preparing students for their careers by integrating real-world knowledge and workforce readiness into every aspect of her teaching.
Outside the classroom, Professor Grealis is a dedicated mentor and advisor, working closely with students through academic competitions, the investment club, the accounting association, Beta Alpha Psi honors society, mentoring programs, career fairs, networking events, internships, and honors projects. She believes that "the best part of her job is watching students succeed at their goals and fulfill their passions."
"I am truly honored to receive the Teaching Excellence Award. It is a privilege to be part of our students' journeys and to help prepare them for their futures. Watching them grow, achieve their goals, and become leaders in their fields is the most rewarding part of my work,” said Grealis. “I am grateful to my colleagues, students, and the WNE community for their support and for making this such a meaningful experience."
Members of the WNE community praised Professor Grealis for her outstanding dedication:
"Her passion for teaching, commitment to student success, and willingness to go the extra mile make her truly deserving of this recognition," one supporter shared. Another noted, "Professor Grealis goes beyond simply delivering course material—she creates an engaging and supportive learning environment that challenges students to think critically and apply concepts to real-world situations."
One student summarized her impact best: "Professor Grealis truly exemplifies the Golden Bear spirit—fostering excellence, resilience, and a deep commitment to student success."
The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes a full-time faculty member from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, or Engineering who models instructional excellence, employs innovative teaching methods, and makes significant contributions through cocurricular engagement and mentorship. The winner is selected through a process that includes nominations, community support statements, and review by a committee of faculty, students, and alumni.
The award will be formally presented to Professor Grealis at 麻花视频 University's 2025 Commencement ceremonies.
This year's Teaching Excellence Award committee includes Faculty members and previous TEA winners Mike Rust, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Committee Chair; Tim Vercellotti, Professor of Political Science; and Alison Castellano, Professional Educator of Psychology; Student members Jessica Cloutier ’27, College of Arts and Sciences; Zachary Killoran ’26, College of Business; and Amanda Howell ’25, College of Engineering; and Alumni members Laura Cafaro ’20,College of Arts and Sciences; Sean Marshall ’06, College of Business; and Chris Jurkiewicz ’17, College of Engineering.
