Deans’ Award for Teaching
One of the highest honors bestowed to full-time faculty at the university level, the Deans’ Award for Teaching recognizes three faculty annually who are nominated by their peers for demonstrating exceptional dedication to teaching and teaching-related activities. Each spring, every school and college submits one nominee each, with AddRan College of Liberal Arts submitting two, one from Humanities and one from Social Sciences. From among more than 700 full-time faculty at TCU, it is a notable honor to be nominated. Nominees are reviewed and honorees are selected by consensus of all academic deans and announced each spring.
Contact your Dean’s Office to submit nominations.
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2025
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. Two students have nominated her for the Clark Society Endowed Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding faculty who prioritize engagement with students.
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 within the program, both in their substantive
legal skills, but also in confidence, teamwork, preparation, resilience, and poise. The TCU Mock Trial Team has not only strengthened the academic profile of TCU, but it has also provided a vehicle for our diverse group of 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 nd 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. Whether it be solving an escape room or building a cardboard boat, 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.”
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2024
Robin Griffith, College of Education
Emily Herzig, College of Science & Engineering
Santiago Piñon, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Nominees
Alyssa Humphries-Stewart, College of Fine Arts
Carrie Moore, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Eric Cox, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Social Sciences
David Weltman, Neeley School of Business
D. Lynn Jackson, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2023
Jan Lacina, College of Education
Jacqueline Lambiase, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Katie Lauve-Moon, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Nominees
Gary Boehm, College of Science & Engineering
Chantel Carlson, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Rosemarie Fike, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Elizabeth Plummer, Neeley School of Business
Amy Stewart, College of Fine Arts
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2022
Ashley English, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Alex Lemon. AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Jennifer Smith, College of Education
Nominees
Ann Bluntzer, Neeley School of Business
Tracy Burger, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Rhiannon Mayne, College of Science & Engineering
Thomas J. Walsh, College of Fine Arts
Amina Zarruch, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Social Sciences
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2021
Michelle Bauml, College of Education
Beata Jones, Neeley School of Business
Penny Maas, College of Fine Arts
Nominees
Robert Bittle, College of Science & Engineering
Phil Esposito, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Alex Lemon, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Paul Witt, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Amina Zarrugh, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Social Sciences
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2020
Cynthia Savage, College of Education
Carol Thompson, AddRan College of Liberal Arts -Social Services
Jean Marie Brown, Schieffer College of Communication
Nominees
Janice Cobb, Neeley School of Business
Sally Fortenberry, College of Fine Arts
Lynn Jackson, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Stacie McCormick, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Robert Bittle, College of Science & Engineering
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2019
Richard Curby Alexander, College of Education
Jan Marie Ballard, College of Fine Arts
Ariane M. Balizet, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Nominees
Renee M. Olvera, Neeley School of Business
Mike Putnam, Schieffer College of Communication
Stephanie Jevas, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Emily M. Farris, AddRan College of Liberal Arts -Social Sciences
Becky L. Johnson, College of Science & Engineering
Deans’ Award for Teaching 2018
Jessica Zeller, College of Fine Arts
Irmgard Payne, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Lisa Vanderlinden, AddRan College of Liberal Arts -Social Sciences
Nominees
Laura M. Meade, Neeley School of Business
Paul Witt, Schieffer College of Communication
Curby Alexander, College of Education
Layne Craig, AddRan College of Liberal Arts – Humanities
Allison C. Owen, College of Science & Engineering
For a complete list of Dean’s Award for Teaching nominees and honorees from 1986 to present, contact the Provost’s Office.