The University of Texas at Dallas honored its outstanding educators for their recent achievements during the seventh annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence, which was held April 26 and presented by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Five educators received President’s Teaching Excellence Awards for their positive impact on students and creative approaches in the classroom. Recent UT System honorees and three recipients of provost’s mentoring awards were also recognized for their leadership and dedication to students.

“Mentoring our students is central to what we do, of course. But when faculty mentor other faculty, it makes us better educators and a better team,” said Dr. Inga H. Musselman, provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership. “That team is welcoming, reassuring and truly inspires excellence.”

President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction (tenure-track)
Dr. Christine Veras, assistant professor of animation
Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction (non-tenure-track)
Dr. Christina Thompson, associate professor of instruction
Hobson Wildenthal Honors College
President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Graduate/Professional Instruction
Dr. Sriraam Natarajan, professor of computer science
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Online/Blended Instruction
Dr. Oziel Rios, associate professor of instruction in mechanical engineering
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
President’s Teaching Excellence Award for Teaching Assistants
Katherine Wilds BA’18, MS’20
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Dr. Benedict Kolber, associate professor of neuroscience
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Graduate Research Mentoring
Dr. Shalini Prasad, professor and department head of bioengineering and Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring (tenure-track)
Dr. Michael Kesden, associate professor of physics
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Syed Kaazim Naqvi
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring (non-tenure-track)
Dr. Syed Kaazim Naqvi, associate professor of instruction in American studies
School of Interdisciplinary Studies
UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award
Dr. John Zweck, professor of mathematical sciences
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers
Dr. Clint Peinhardt, professor of political science, public policy and political economy
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Center for Teaching and Learning Outstanding Service Award
Dr. L. Douglas Kiel, professor emeritus of public and nonprofit management
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Undergraduate Advisor of the Year
Malinda Hicks BA’05, MS’07, PhD’13
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences