On Thursday, June 26, Erin Sanders O’Leary, Inaugural Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, shared this message via Bruin Post.
The UCLA Distinguished Teaching Awards celebrate teaching excellence and educational innovation, helping to elevate the practice of teaching as highlighted in Goal 4 of the Strategic Plan. The awards honor deserving instructors for their creativity in the classroom, dedication to helping students thrive, and commitment to continually improving the educational experience for students. A list of past Distinguished Teaching Award winners can be found on the TLC website.
This year, the non-Senate Faculty group was doubled to include six awards, matching the number given to Senate Faculty. Awardees (Senate and non-Senate) were nominated in one of four expanded categories: The Practice of Teaching, Innovation and Impact, Community-Engaged Teaching, and Undergraduate Mentorship. Additionally, five awards are designated for exceptional Teaching Assistants.
From a highly competitive pool of nominees, the Distinguished Teaching Award Selection Committee recognizes the following recipients for their efforts to champion educational innovation and elevate teaching. Notably, the TLC received nearly 50 nominations for the Distinguished Teaching Assistant awards, a record number for the honor. All award recipients will be recognized at the Andrea L. Rich Night to Honor Teaching, held during the fall 2025 quarter.
Senate Faculty
Idan Blank, Psychology (Eby Award for Excellence in Teaching)
Jessica Collett, Sociology
Stephen Gardbaum, Law
Tracy Johnson, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Jonathan Kao, Electrical Engineering
Robin Kelley, History
Non-Senate Faculty
Tamar Christensen, Writing Programs
Joseph Esdin, Life Sciences
Bonnie Goff, Psychology
Diana Márquez-Garbán, Medicine
Rafael Romero, Neuroscience
Shanna Shaked, Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences and Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Teaching Assistants
Lynette Dixon, Gender Studies
Caitlyn Fick, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Alexis Korb, Computer Science
Ivy Kwok, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vanessa Pooudomsak, Political Science
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) is grateful to the selection committee members for dedicating their time and expertise to reviewing the nominations. The selection committee is comprised of past Distinguished Teaching Award winners and TLC staff. We extend our appreciation to the members:
Committee Chair Mark Goorsky, Materials Science & Engineering
Committee Vice Chair Melissa Paquette Smith; Psychology
Alan Castel; Psychology
Neveen El-Farra; Medicine
Eric Min; Political Science, Global Studies IDP
Diana Rigueur; Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Jordan Hugh Sam; Musicology (Graduate Student Representative)
Stephen Tobin; Spanish and Portuguese
Laurel Westrup; Writing Programs
Kem Saichaie; Teaching and Learning Center (Standing Member)
Casey Shapiro; Teaching and Learning Center (Committee Support)
Marjorie Llanera; Teaching and Learning Center (Committee Support)
Thanks to all the inspiring nominees for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning and their commitment to creating impactful learning experiences for students.
For more information about the Distinguished Teaching Awards, visit the Distinguished Teaching Awards website or email awards@teaching.ucla.edu.