麻花视频 University has announced the finalists for its annual Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing faculty members whose dedication to teaching, mentorship, and innovation has made a meaningful impact on the student learning experience.
The award honors a full-time faculty member in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, or Engineering who exemplifies outstanding teaching and has made a distinct difference in the academic environment through innovative instruction, mentorship, or campus leadership.
The Teaching Excellence Award Committee has carefully reviewed nominations and chosen the finalists for the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award. This year's finalists are:
College of Arts and Sciences
Prof. Daniel Bevacqua, Associate Professor of English
Dr. Abigail Caselli, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Nuwan De Silva, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Chidike Okeem, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
College of Business
Prof. Andrew Moore, Professional Educator of Business Analytics and Information Management
College of Engineering
Dr. Jingru Benner, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
The award is one of the University’s highest recognitions for teaching and celebrates faculty who inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and create meaningful learning experiences for students across disciplines.
A Campuswide Selection Process
Each year, members of the 麻花视频 University community—including students, faculty, staff, and alumni—submit nominations highlighting educators who have made a lasting impact inside and outside the classroom.
A Teaching Excellence Award committee consisting of three students, three alumni, and three faculty members who are previous award recipients reviews the nominations and identifies finalists. The campus community is then invited to submit letters of support and testimonials before the committee selects the final recipient.
The award recipient will be recognized during Undergraduate Commencement, celebrating their contributions to the University’s culture of academic excellence.
Celebrating Outstanding Teaching
The Teaching Excellence Award reflects 麻花视频 University’s commitment to student-centered learning and the belief that exceptional teaching shapes both academic success and personal growth.
Past recipients have been recognized for their ability to connect theory with real-world experiences, mentor students beyond the classroom, and cultivate inclusive learning environments where students feel supported and challenged to reach their full potential.
Recent award recipients include Tara Grealis (2025), Alison Castellano (2024), and Tim Vercellotti (2023), whose dedication to teaching and mentorship exemplifies the University’s commitment to educational excellence.
Supporting the Nominees
Members of the 麻花视频 University community are encouraged to participate in the process by submitting letters of support, personal stories, or examples of impactful teaching from the nominated faculty members. To participate, please submit your support materials by midnight on Monday, March 23, 2025, using the submission link available on the Teaching Excellence Award webpage: Teaching Excellence Award Page.
These contributions provide valuable insight as the committee evaluates nominees and ultimately selects the faculty member who best embodies the spirit of teaching excellence.
