Deans’ Award for Teaching
The Deans’ Award for Teaching is one the highest honors bestowed to TCU faculty at the university level. Nominees are selected by their peers based on their exceptional dedication to teaching and teaching-related activities. Deans votes on the top three to honor for their unique ability to challenge students to learn and grow while providing support and attention for their students’ success. Each honoree receives $2,500.
Requirements: Full-time faculty who have been at TCU five years or more and have not been honored with either Deans’ Award nor the Chancellor’s Award in the previous seven years.
Nomination Process: Colleges and schools follow internal guidelines for their nomination processes. Each may submit one nominee, with AddRan College for Liberal Arts allowed to submit two: one from Humanities and one from Social Sciences.
Timeline: Each fall, the Provost’s Office submits Call for Nominations and nomination packets to deans. Deadline for nominations is mid-March. Deans convene and vote. Honorees are announced in April.
2025 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Kathleen Kyzar
Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Special Education
College of Education
Dr. Kyzar’s research on engaging families as partners in children’s educational journeys informs her undergraduate course. She also teaches a challenging course, Intro to Quantitative Research, to graduate students. She is working on training materials for schools and teachers that will strengthen connections between home and school.
Students describe her as “extremely passionate and knowledgeable,” “cheerful and approachable” and “a joy.” They appreciate the ways in which Dr. Kyzar structures the course to have direct application to their future work as classroom teachers.
Colleagues say Dr. Kyzar is an “outstanding teacher/scholar who promotes student learning through meaningful, authentic assignments and high levels of support.”
“I dedicate myself to becoming a better educator by continuously practicing my teaching skills, seeking feedback, reflecting on my methods, and striving for improvement,” she said.
Michele Meitl
Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Asst. Director of Graduate Program
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
An accomplished attorney and academic, Dr. Meitl has developed a curriculum that weaves together theory with real-world practice and perspectives. Colleagues say she “encourages students to not only make arguments in support of their opinion, but to anticipate arguments that may challenge that opinion.” She is the founder and advisor for TCU Mock Trial.
“I have watched as our students have grown both in their substantive legal skills and also in confidence, teamwork, preparation, resilience, and poise,” she said. “The TCU Mock Trial Team has not only strengthened the academic profile of TCU, but has also provided a vehicle for students to work collaboratively across majors and build lasting relationships.”
Students says: “Your efforts never go unnoticed. They make an immeasurable difference, not just in how we perform, but in who we are becoming.” “Her teaching is dynamic and engaging.” “The way she taught us legal concepts, trial basics and teamwork were the keys to our success.
Tracey Rockett
Professor of Professional Practice in Management and Leadership
Neeley School of Business
Her colleagues say “whether providing one-on-one feedback for a professor designing a new course, coaching adjunct faculty, or delivering TCU employee workshops across campus, Professor Rockett takes great joy in sharing her knowledge to improve the classroom experience for all.”
“I get to work with students at every level of their education – undergrads, grads, and returning learners in Executive Education. While these can be very different student populations in terms of expectations and experience, I have three goals that I aspire to meet with every class I teach: forge real connections with students, engage students in the process of learning, and inspire in them a curiosity to learn more.”
Student like that she uses “hands-on, abstract activities to teach concepts. I found myself enjoying the reflection aspect…and I could see the translation of team and leadership concepts into my action these team exercises.” “She encourages students to think creatively and realistically about solving these problems.”
2025 Nominees
Sarah Newton, College of Fine Arts
Broxon Sears, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Marie Schein, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Mark Demarest, College of Science & Engineering
Laurel Lynch, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
2024 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Robin Griffith, College of Education
Emily Herzig, College of Science & Engineering
Santiago Piñon, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
2023 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Jan Lacina, College of Education
Jacqueline Lambiase, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Katie Lauve-Moon, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
2022 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Ashley English, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Alex Lemon. AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Jennifer Smith, College of Education
2021 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Michelle Bauml, College of Education
Beata Jones, Neeley School of Business
Penny Maas, College of Fine Arts
2020 Deans’ Award for Teaching Honorees
Cynthia Savage, College of Education
Carol Thompson, AddRan College of Liberal Arts -Social Services
Jean Marie Brown, Schieffer College of Communication
For a complete list of Dean’s Award for Teaching nominees and honorees from 1986 to present, contact the Provost’s Office.