Office of Faculty Affairs

Faculty Excellence in Teaching

This award recognizes a full-time faculty member at the University of New Orleans for demonstrated excellence in teaching. 

Excellence in teaching is defined broadly as instruction and instruction-related activities. Applicants are expected to present evidence of innovative and inclusive practices aimed at meeting the diverse learning needs of students regardless of their educational background and identity. Also expected is evidence of active involvement in professional development in teaching and application of the knowledge and skills learned to teaching, developing course materials and assessments, and creating a sense of belonging in the classroom. 

Innovative practices include, but are not limited to, the use of new instructional technologies, the use of traditional technologies in creative ways, new approaches to instruction, the use of co-curricular experiences, and successful incorporation of experiential learning. Inclusive practices include, but are not limited to, using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, building a sense of belonging in the classroom, and adopting diverse forms of course assessment. Innovative and inclusive teaching should have a positive impact on teaching effectiveness, student learning, supporting diverse student learners, and student retention and career readiness.

Eligibility:  All full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty and full-time instructors with at least three years of teaching experience at UNO are eligible. The award recipient is expected to attend the awards ceremony at the Faculty & Staff Convocation in August.

Faculty Excellence in Service 

The Faculty Excellence in Service award recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies outstanding service to the profession, the discipline, the department, the college, the university, and/or the broader community.

For this award, service activities are limited to work for which the faculty member receives no additional compensation but that has a tangible benefit to others. 

Excellence in service will be measured in terms of activities that surpass the responsibilities of the position and are aligned with and benefit the university, college, or department (e.g., student recruitment and retention, experiential learning, equity and inclusive excellence, community engagement and partnerships, etc.). Evidence should show how the applicant’s service contributes to achieving UNO’s strategic goals and exhibits the University’s core values.

Eligibility:  All full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty and full-time instructors with more than three years of career experience at UNO. The award recipient is expected to attend the awards ceremony at the Faculty & Staff Convocation in August.

Shreya Banerjee, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Kathryn Dungy, Ph.D
Professor, History and Philosophy, Chair

Sebastián Figueroa, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Spanish

Katie Garagiola, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor, School of the Arts

Yisak Jang, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration

Debra Karhson, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Psychology

Yaojie “William” Li, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Management and Marketing

Yizhi Li, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration

Redwan Newaz, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Ashleigh Pelifigue, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, School of Education

Grace Reinke, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Political Science

Elnaz Safapour, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Construction Management

Cheng Shi, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

Hao Su, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Management and Marketing

Michael Turner, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Accounting

Lisa Verner, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, English and Foreign Languages

Promotion to Librarian

Lindsey Reno, Ph.D.
Earl K. Long Library

Promotion to Professor

Charles Bell, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences

Dan Rule, M.F.A.
School of the Arts

Tenure

Gregory Price, Ph.D.
Economics and Finance

Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor

Shaikh Arifuzzaman, Ph.D.
Computer Science

Joel Atallah, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences

Randy Kearns, Ph.D.
Management and Marketing

Damon Smith, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering