Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Regents’ Teaching Awards! The Regents’ Teaching Awards represent the highest recognition for teaching and advising in the University System of Georgia (USG), and illustrates the USG’s commitment to ensuring academic excellence for the citizens of Georgia.

Regents’ Award for Online Teaching

Dr. David Joyner, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. David Joyner blends rigor, innovation, and student engagement in the online Computer Science courses that he has created. Combining a learner-centered approach with problem-based pedagogy, students thrive on the high level of interaction with Dr. Joyner as they are challenged to become co-investigators of disciplinary issues.

Felton Jenkins Hall of Fame Faculty Awards

Research/Comprehensive

Dr. James Byers, University of Georgia
Dr. James Byers is in high demand for keynotes and national presentations on pressing ecological issues; he is most known for immersing his students at the University of Georgia through compelling narratives of ecology. Noted for his ability to ‘work magic’ with students of all levels and majors, his students have had their work published in premier journals.

State Universities

Dr. Christopher Clark, Georgia College and State University
Dr. Christopher Clark invites students across the university to explore economics through real world contexts, and through this pedagogy has inspired a number of students to pursue graduate study themselves. As a scholar-teacher, his research enters his classrooms, and his passion for economics inspires students across the disciplines.

State Colleges

Dr. Binh Tran, Georgia Gwinnett College
Dr. Binh Tran’s knowledge of the Information Technology industry led to the creation of an internship program which deeply benefits his IT students. Consistently developing new classroom strategies, Dr. Tran publishes regularly on the intersection of student learning and classroom innovation, making his pedagogy and expertise available to a national audience.

Regents’ Momentum Year Award for Excellence in Advising and Student Success

Gordon State College Orientation Planning Committee, Gordon State College
The Gordon State College Orientation Planning Committee created a New Student Orientation Program that builds student momentum by emphasizing the advising relationship. Honoring the college’s motto—a place where students come to flourish—the interdisciplinary planning committee created a program that embodies the Momentum Year.

Regents’ Momentum Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Curricular Innovation

First Year Seminar Program, Kennesaw State University
The First Year Seminar (FYS) Program within University College of Kennesaw State University affects student growth in many contexts across the undergraduate curriculum. This nationally-recognized program focuses on Mindset—student growth, purpose, and social belonging—and impacts student success long after they take the FYS.

Regents’ Award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Tessa C. Andrews
Dr. Tessa Andrews is a leading scholar in how to effectively incorporate active learning into large lecture classes. She focuses on equity and inclusion, explores ways to help students overcome science misconceptions, and bridges theory and practice – both in the classroom and as a mentor to faculty.

Dr. Joseph A. Mayo
Dr. Joseph Mayo integrates Boyer’s scholarship of discovery and scholarship of teaching into a systematic investigation of student learning with a focus on authentic assessment and constructivist pedagogy. Despite a teaching load of 8-10 classes per year, Mayo is a highly engaged scholar and mentor with a national reputation.

Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award for Department or Program

Department of History, Georgia State University
Georgia State University’s Department of History has a three-pronged approach to student success—online initiatives, high impact practices and active learning strategies, and a career readiness program for both undergraduate and graduate history majors—resulting in growth and retention of majors, and in students’ evaluations of the courses and programs. (Award to be conferred at the May meeting of the Board of Regents)