Maryrose and Dan Short Teaching Excellence Award
The Maryrose and Dan Short Teaching Excellence Award recognizes exceptional teaching for untenured full-time faculty who have been at TCU five years or less. The award began in the Neeley School of Business and was expanded to the entire university in 2021. The winner receives $9,500 with the stipulation that $1,000 be used for professional development.
Contact your Dean’s Office to submit nominations.
Deadline: March 15 each year. Announced in September.
2025 Maryrose and Dan Short Teaching Excellence Award
Mathew Crawford
Instructor, Pre-Health Professions Institute
College of Science & Engineering
Lauded for making a transformational impact on more than 2,500 students through a wide range of courses in the College of Science & Engineering, Dr. Crawford’s innovative teaching methods emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary integration and professional development. In addition to teaching, he leads curriculum development and serves as an academic advisor and consummate mentor.
A student’s nomination letter captures the impact Crawford has had: “Any time I listen to a lecture or participate in a discussion, I am amazed at his ability to sit in the complexity and ambiguity of things with such humility, not assuming he knows everything, but rather inviting others into dialogue and discussion so that everyone can learn and grow from their shared experience.”
Learn more about Dr. Crawford here
2025 Nominees
- Edgar Campos, Assistant Professor of Sociology, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Shelley Ford, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Nursing, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Zachary Frohlich, Instructor II in Communication Studies and Director of Communicating Effectively, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Jennifer Grennan, Instructor II in Accounting, Neeley School of Business
- Pablo Montes, Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies, College of Education
- Rima Shrestha, Instructor of Fashion Merchandising, College of Fine Arts
- Sarah Vartabedian, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, John V. Roach Honors College
2024 Maryrose and Dan Short Teaching Excellence Award
Ashley Palmer
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
“Three elements for fostering students’ personal and professional growth are (1) building relationships with them, trusting them to be stewards of their learning, empowering them to take an active role in their learning, and normalizing mistakes; (2) co-creating a physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, and emotionally safe learning community; and (3) supporting students as they digest and evaluate new knowledge.
Watch Dr. Palmer’s Video
2024 Nominees
- Luis Romero, Assistant Professor of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Britney N. Gilmore, Assistant Professor of Communications Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Pablo Montes, Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies, College of Education
- Tamara A. Rice, Instructor of Interior Design, College of Fine Arts
- Derek Tomlin, Instructor I of Mathematics, College of Science & Engineering
- Maia Kelton, Instructor II Accounting, Neeley School of Business
2023 Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award
Sh’Nique Alford
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Director, Bachelor of Social Work
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Professor Alford has a strong desire for continued improving courses, a strong knowledge of course content, and the ability to build rapport with students. She is committed to making each student feel like they belong, and she supports their progress from beginning to graduation, preparing them with knowledge and skills to be effective social workers.
Watch Dr. Alford’s Video
2023 Nominees
- Casey Call, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Psychology; Associate Director of Education, Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, College of Science & Engineering
- Christine Hall, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Educational Leadership, College of Education
- Brandy Jolliff Scott, Instructor of Political Science, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Ayvaunn Penn, Assistant Professor of Theatre, College of Fine Arts
- Amy Troutman, Instructor of Accounting; Assistant Director, Professional Program in Accounting, Neeley School of Business
- Patty Zamarripa, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Journalism, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
2022 Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award
Tatiana Arguello
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Hispanic Studies
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Arguello is as an exceptional teacher who has a profound impact on her students. She is devoted to the interdisciplinary study of the Hispanic world, examining culture, literature, cinema, history, politics, music, art history, economics and anthropology. One of her key strengths is her ability to convey complex information in a manner that students find compelling.
Watch Dr. Arguello’s Video2022 Nominees
- Brandon Chicotsky, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing, Neeley School of Business
- Russell, Mack, Instructor of Strategic Communication, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Lydia Mackay, Assistant Professor of Theatre, College of Fine Arts
- Ryan Porter, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Randa Tawil, Assistant Professor of Women and Gender Studies, School of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Drew Tomlin, Instructor of Mathematics, College of Science & Engineering
2021 Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award
Mikio Akagi
Assistant Professor of History and Philosophy of Science
John V. Roach Honors College
Dr. Akagi possesses a talent for translating his philosophical training into creative courses that are accessible and relevant to students from all majors. Students learn to use tools of philosophical and scientific inquiry to grapple with complex social problems. While he challenges students to reach beyond familiar idioms of thought, he attends faithfully to their learning.
Watch Dr. Akagi’s Video2021 Nominees
- Brandon Manning, Assistant Professor of English, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Jennifer Smith, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, College of Education
- Bill Grieser, Neeley School of Business
- Emily Herzig, College of Science & Engineering
- Michelle Kimzey, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Sarah Newton, College of Fine Arts
- Charity Robinson, Bob Schieffer College of Communication