The University of New Mexico recently hosted its 25th Annual Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony, recognizing educators who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in their roles. UNM President Garnett S. Stokes expressed gratitude towards the honorees, stating, “We are here today to honor the most creative and committed faculty and leaders that we have on our campus...To recognize the best of our lobo educators...Every day you are changing lives and changing the world and I wanted to be here to celebrate the very best of the very best.”
One of the awardees, Leola Paquin, Presidential Teaching Fellow of the Year, attributed her teaching philosophy to her family background, stating, “I know each of you have rich family histories that make you who you are...That's the basics for my teaching philosophy and how I build relationships with students.” Erik Pineda, named one of the Outstanding Teaching Assistants of the Year, emphasized his intentional choice to become a teacher, saying, “I didn’t become a teacher by chance...I chose to be a teacher.”
The awardees were commended for their unwavering commitment and passion in the field of education. Colleagues and students alike praised their dedication, with one student describing Erik Pineda as “a vocal advocate for self-empowerment.” The ceremony celebrated a total of 16 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to teaching excellence.
Among the recipients of the Teaching Excellence Awards were individuals from different departments within the university, such as Leola Tsinnajinnie Paquin, Eli Wilson, Irina Meier, Maria DeBlassie, Cristina Reiser, Tammi Duncan-Teller, Nahir I. Otaño Gracia, Kwabena Dabie, Arlin Diaz Torres, Julkie Peterman, Érick Pineda, Adrian Johnston, Lisa Myers, and Carlos Maestas-Olguin, all recognized for their exemplary work in academia.
The event served as a platform to honor and celebrate the dedication and impact of these educators on the University of New Mexico community, showcasing their commitment to excellence in teaching and their positive influence on the lives of students.