2026 University Teaching Awards honor 27 educators

Graphic of Carolina's campus with text reading

Twenty-seven standout Carolina educators from a record pool of more than 1,000 nominations have been honored with 2026 University Teaching Awards.

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and interim Provost Jim Dean announced the winners Feb. 17, writing in a campus message that each winner “demonstrates the depth and scope of Carolina’s commitment to teaching and mentoring.”

“This group of vibrant teachers and mentors represents the diversity of people and disciplines on our campus,” they wrote. “Not every outstanding teacher receives the award, but each award winner undoubtedly represents the best of what Carolina has to offer.”

The annual awards recognize outstanding teaching and mentoring of undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students.

The honorees, which include faculty and graduate teaching assistants, were chosen after a rigorous selection process that included every academic unit on campus, producing more than 1,000 nominees. The University Teaching Awards Committee reviews every nomination before recommending winners to the chancellor.

This year’s honors include the inaugural John L. Sanders Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Service. The award recognizes faculty whose excellence in undergraduate teaching is matched by a sustained commitment to service, mentorship and advocacy that strengthens the broader University community.

Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching

Valérie Pruvost, Romance studies department, College of Arts and Sciences

Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement

Hilary E. Lithgow, English and comparative literature department, College of Arts and Sciences

John L. Sanders Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Service

Hugo Méndez, religious studies department, College of Arts and Sciences

Distinguished Teaching Award for Post-Baccalaureate Instruction

James J. Fiordalisi, pharmacology department, School of Medicine
Rainier D. Masa, School of Social Work
Michelle Robinson, American studies department, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ronald P. Strauss, Adams School of Dentistry and School of Medicine

Chapman Family Teaching Awards

Seth Kotch, American studies department, College of Arts and Sciences
Christian C. Lentz, geography and the environment department, College of Arts and Sciences
Laura Ott, biology department, College of Arts and Sciences
Michael Vazquez, philosophy department, College of Arts and Sciences

Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Snehalkumar ‘Neil’ S. Gaikwad, School of Data Science and Society
Eric Hastie, biology department, College of Arts and Sciences
Mary Kroeger, political science department, College of Arts and Sciences
Montek Singh, computer science department, College of Arts and Sciences
Megan P. Williams, School of Nursing

William C. Friday Award for Excellence in Teaching

Karen M. Gil, psychology and neuroscience department, College of Arts and Sciences
Casey Paul Rodriguez, mathematics department, College of Arts and Sciences

J. Carlyle Sitterson Award for Teaching First-Year Students

Cynthia Current, English and comparative literature department, College of Arts and Sciences
Anna Cristina Curtis, chemistry department, College of Arts and Sciences

James M. Johnston Teaching Excellence Award

Terence Oliver, Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Melanie Studer, health policy and management department, Gillings School of Global Public Health