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The Provost’s Teaching Recognition Award honors full-time teaching and professional faculty who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and a consummate dedication to teaching and learning. The teaching and professional faculty candidate must have taught credited courses full time for a minimum of 5 continuous years prior to his/her year of nomination. This award provides an opportunity to honor the contributions to teaching at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ made by these important colleagues. Click on the link to see a list of prior winners of this award.

2024 Recipients:

Cheryl Mendenhall
Meadows School of the Arts

Professor Mendenhall is a Senior Lecturer in the Temerlin Advertising Institute in the Meadows School of the Arts and has served as the Program Director for Graphic Design Minor since 2012. Having been previously nominated for this award, and earning other teaching awards, she demonstrates a sustained dedication to exceptional teaching. Her student evaluations and letters of support showcase that students truly like her. Her teaching philosophy, which includes informal debrief sessions at the end of each semester, reflects her commitment to systematic growth and improvement. She fosters an inclusive classroom environment, affirming students from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to ensure they feel comfortable participating and asking questions. Glowing student evaluations and letters of support underscore her ability to inspire and engage learners, while her mentorship has propelled students to win prestigious national and regional awards, including the National ADDYs, DSVC/National Student Show, and Student One Show. These efforts have contributed to the creative sequence being recognized as one of the top five programs in the country and among the top ten worldwide. The committee also admired her beautifully crafted sample syllabus, which exemplified her creative and organizational skills, and inspired them to elevate their own materials. 

Liljana Elverskog Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences   Professor Elverskog is a Senior Lecturer and Arabic Area Chair in the World Languages and Literatures Department at the Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences. A multiple-time nominee for this award and recipient of numerous student-nominated honors, such as the H.O.P.E. Distinguished Professor Award and the “M” Award, she has earned widespread recognition from both students and colleagues. The review committee found no weaknesses in her submitted materials, a testament to her exceptional teaching and holistic approach to language education. Her efforts include developing over ten courses for the program, creating the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½-in-Morocco program, and spearheading other impactful departmental initiatives. Her teaching philosophy resonated strongly with the committee, particularly her focus on cultural awareness, inclusivity, and inspiring curiosity and passion in her students through diverse and thoughtful pedagogical strategies. A few student comments include: “Professor Liljana goes above and beyond in all aspects of the class, which helped me excel in Arabic” and “Professor Liljana is extremely dedicated to teaching Arabic and helping us build a good foundation of the language.”

The Golden Mustangs, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ alumni who graduated at least fifty years ago, have established an award for the advancement of teaching and learning. This award is given each year to a junior, tenure-track faculty member, whose teaching is consistently excellent; whose courses reflect thoughtful curricular development; and whose scholarship makes a meaningful contribution to the discipline and to student learning. Click on the link to access a list of previous recipients.

2024 Recipient:

Kristina Nielsen
Meadows School of the Arts

Professor Nielsen is an Associate Professor of Musicology at the Meadows School of the Arts. Professor Nielsen has demonstrated exceptional dedication to curriculum development and innovative teaching within her department, thoughtfully designing courses that enhance students’ academic progression. Her interdisciplinary sample syllabus stood out to the committee, showcasing her ability to connect musicology to broader critical studies. As a scholar on the leading edge of musicology, her contributions include impactful teaching publications and blogs, further cementing her role as an educator-scholar. Her teaching evaluations were outstanding, with one student reporting, “This has been one of the very best classes that I have taken at this school, and I hope other students have the chance to experience it!” Finally, one of the letters of support emphasized that students regularly comment on her dedication, her mastery of the material, her passion, her availability, and her organization. Her commitment to fostering intellectual growth exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator. 

The President's Associates Outstanding Faculty Award is given annually to tenured faculty for the advancement of teaching and learning. This award is designed to honor faculty who have sustained high achievement as teachers and whose scholarship makes a meaningful contribution to student learning. Click on the link to access a list of past recipients.

2024 Recipient:

Anne Shilling
Meadows School of the Arts

Professor Shilling is an Associate Professor at the Division of Theater at the Meadows School of the Arts. Professor Schilling’s teaching philosophy, centered on the principle of “teaching what is in front of you” by engaging with each student’s unique contributions and fostering meaningful dialogue, left a strong impression on the review committee. Her scholarly contributions are equally remarkable, demonstrating a clear and impactful connection to student learning, a key criterion for this award. Beyond ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, Professor Schilling is a leading figure in the field of Alba Voice Work, an innovative approach to vocal training that is rapidly becoming an industry-standard in the United States. Her student evaluations were exceptional, filled with glowing testimonials highlighting her dedication and expertise. One student remarked, “Anne is THE professor of this department. This is her calling. I’ve never had a professor quite like her,” while another shared, “Anne is the most kind and knowledgeable professor I’ve had at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. Her commitment to her work and professionalism while still caring about her students is extraordinary. I’m so grateful to have her as my professor!”