Regents’ Teaching Awards Honor 5 UT Dallas Faculty Members

Five UT Dallas faculty members are among 63 educators from throughout the University of Texas System recognized by the Board of Regents with its highest teaching honor.

The UT Dallas recipients of the 2013 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (ROTA) are: Dr. Mohammad Mainul Akbar, assistant professor of mathematical sciences; Dr. Daniel G. Arce, professor of economics; Dr. Matthew Goeckner, professor and head of mathematical sciences; Dr. Karen Huxtable-Jester, senior lecturer in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Dr. Jessica C. Murphy, assistant professor of literary studies.

“Our faculty members are the heart and soul of our institutions, and they are the most critical factor in student success,” said Board of Regents Chairman Gene Powell. “The Board created the ROTA program because of our respect and appreciation for these outstanding teachers, and because we want to make sure our institutions continue to be places of educational excellence.”

The awards – each accompanied by $25,000 – are offered annually in recognition of faculty members at the nine academic and six health institutions in the UT System who have demonstrated extraordinary classroom performance and dedication to innovation. This week's honorees were awarded nearly $1.6 million.

Because of the depth and breadth of educators across the UT System, the awards are competitive, said Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, chancellor of the UT System.

ROTA candidates are vetted by peer faculty, students and campus presidents at their own institutions before advancing to competition at the System level. A selection committee of distinguished educators within and outside the UT System considers a range of criteria, including classroom expertise, curricula quality, innovative course development and student learning outcomes.

“We are deeply grateful to the regents for their ongoing commitment to honor our very best and most dedicated faculty,” Cigarroa said. “These awards recognize the immeasurable impact teachers have on our students, who will shape the future of our communities across Texas and the nation.”

Established by the Board of Regents in 2008, the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards complement a range of System-wide efforts that underscore the Board’s commitment to ensuring the UT System is a place of intellectual exploration and discovery, educational excellence and unparalleled opportunity. The program is one of the nation’s largest monetary teaching recognition programs in higher education.