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UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers

The Academy recognizes educators who have demonstrated leadership in education and are committed to improving learning across the UT System. Members of the Academy serve as the System-level advisory and advocacy group dedicated to fostering classroom innovation, promoting interdisciplinary educational perspectives and catalyzing the sharing of best practices across campuses in the UT System.

Recipients

2023: Dr. Salena Brody

Dr. Brody is a professor of instruction in psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, as well as assistant director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. She has taught at UTD since 2005 and received a President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction earlier this year. 

2022: Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham

Dr. Lanham is an associate professor of instruction and an assistant director in the Center for Teaching and Learning. She is the 2018 winner of the UT Dallas President’s Outstanding Teaching Award in Online/Blended Instruction as well as numerous school-level teaching awards. In addition to traditional face-to-face and online courses, Lanham has taught community-based learning courses and led study abroad programs in Italy, Switzerland and France. She is now focused on expanding the virtual exchange program, which partners UT Dallas students with students in another country.

2021: Dr. Joanna Kain Gentsch

Dr. Gentsch served as director of student and community engagement in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, and also has served as the director of community-engaged learning with the Office of Undergraduate Education. In 2019, she received a President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction, an area that has been a focus for her since she joined the University in 2003.

2020: Dr. Jessica Murphy

Dr. Murphy, professor of literary studies and dean of Undergraduate Education at UT Dallas, earned her PhD in English at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and joined UT Dallas in 2009. She was appointed dean of Undergraduate Education in 2017. Murphy’s commitment to excellence in the classroom has garnered her several teaching awards, including the UT Dallas Special Faculty Development Award in 2015-2016, the UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award in 2013, and the UT Dallas Distinguished Teacher in Diversity and Multicultural Education Award in 2011.

2017: Dr. Karen Huxtable-Jester

Dr. Karen Huxtable teaches educational psychology, social psychology, and social & personality development. She also serves as the associate director for the Center for Teaching and Learning. In that role, she provides consultation and creates teaching-related professional development opportunities for doctoral students and faculty. Dr. Huxtable-Jester also serves as chair of UT Dallas’ academic senate’s committee on effective teaching, which works to promote teaching excellence across the campus. She has been awarded the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award for the University of Texas System, as well as the Seniors’ Choice and Excellence in Teaching awards for the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Dr. Huxtable-Jester earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the Ohio State University.

2013: Dr. John Sibert

Dr. John Sibert is an associate professor of chemistry in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at UT Dallas. He is a recipient of the President’s Teaching Excellence Award and has also been inducted into the inaugural class of The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers.