Each year, the University Teaching Awards are conferred to individual faculty members through the Office of the Provost. These exemplary faculty demonstrate excellence in undergraduate classroom teaching and represent innovative curricular leadership across the University. University Teaching Award recipients come from across all six Evanston undergraduate schools and NU-Qatar. We celebrate their considerable contributions to student learning.
For more information about the University Teaching Awards, visit the About the Awards page or send an email to teachingawards@northwestern.edu.
Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering
Michael Beltran’s pedagogical approach combines “the theoretical classroom learning environment and practical hands-on experience,” providing students the opportunity to apply engineering fundamentals. Read more about Michael Beltran and watch his acceptance speech here.
Associate Professor of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Thomas Bozza brings interactive, experiential learning to the undergraduate science courses he teaches, including large sections with more than 200 students. As he explains, “People learn best by seeing, experiencing and exploring.” Read more about Thomas Bozza and watch his acceptance speech here.
Associate Professor of Instruction of Theatre, School of Communication
Melissa Foster draws on a “broad toolbox of techniques” and “contemporary vocal teaching methods” to help students “cultivate the voice of an authentic artist.” Read more about Melissa Foster and watch her acceptance speech here.
Wayne V. Jones II Research Professor of History, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Amy Stanley’s innovative assignments and novel twists in course design inspire “boundless thinking.” She reimagined Global History: The Early Modern to Modern Transition, a notoriously difficult course, by sparking students’ curiosity about everything from the history of printed cotton dresses to the struggles of Korean prisoners of war in 16th-century Japan. Read more about Amy Stanley and watch her acceptance speech here.
Associate Professor of Learning Sciences, School of Education and Social Policy
Shirin Vossoughi teaches about educational justice and aims for students to experience educational justice as they engage in her classes. Read more about Shirin Vossoughi and watch her acceptance speech here.