UB honors excellence in teaching and learning

Nine UB faculty will be celebrated for their exceptional contributions to teaching, instructional innovation and mentorship at UB’s inaugural Faculty Recognition Reception happening Thursday.

Hosted by the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, the reception will honor a broader group of faculty awardees whose achievements span teaching, research and mentorship.

The event will bring together honorees and invited guests to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the university community.

Among those being celebrated are recipients of the UB Teaching Innovation Award, facilitated by the Office of Faculty Affairs, and the Instructional Excellence Awards, facilitated by the Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation (CATT).

This year’s honorees represent a range of disciplines and approaches to teaching but share a commitment to enriching students’ educational experiences and strengthening the culture of teaching and learning at UB.

“Some of the most important teaching work happens outside the moments students see. It takes place in the planning, reflection and conversations with colleagues that lead faculty to rethink an approach," says Graham Hammill, senior vice provost for faculty affairs and dean of the Graduate School.

"The faculty being honored with these awards have shown an exemplary commitment to teaching and to advancing what what students are able to learn and accomplish as a result of that commitment.”

The complete list of faculty honorees is available on the Faculty Affairs website.

The UB Teaching Innovation Award is the university’s only award that specifically recognizes faculty whose creative approaches to teaching have made a meaningful impact on student learning.  

The 2026 recipients are:

• David Emmanuel Gray, associate teaching professor in the Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences.
• Cecilia Martinez Leon, professor of teaching in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Meredith Scheider, teaching professor, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences.
• Jared Strohl, teaching assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology, College of Arts and Sciences.

Recipients were honored for achievements including curriculum redesign in the Philosophy-Politics-Economics (PPE) program and general physiology to expand experiential learning opportunities; innovative course design and outstanding leadership in engineering management; and creative pedagogical approaches in large-enrollment sociology courses.

Two of this year’s honorees illustrate how teaching innovation can put students in an active role. Gray’s “Experiments in Philosophy” course has students “engage the public in issues that are important to them while also defining, planning and carrying out social action and activities.” The goal, he says, is “to connect concepts of philosophy to the real world and student experiences to philosophy.”

Martinez-Leon’s engineering assignments bring AI into problem-solving while keeping students responsible for how they use it.

“My teaching innovation lies in designing scaffolded assignments with layered AI support, positioning AI as a thinking partner as students tackle engineering problems," she says. "Students critically evaluate its output and refine their reasoning through reflection and feedback, retaining ownership of their analysis, decisions, and learning.”

CATT’s Instructional Excellence Awards recognize faculty whose contributions advance teaching and learning, professional development, peer mentorship, and instructional leadership.

The 2026 recipients are:

Teaching and Learning

This award recognizes faculty who create engaging, inclusive learning environments that foster student success.

• Amy Baird, associate professor of practice, Department of Engineering Education, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Sarah Vincent, associate teaching professor, Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences

Professional Development

This award recognizes a sustained commitment to improving teaching through professional learning and reflection.

• Christine Tinnesz, associate teaching professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences.

Peer Mentorship

This award recognizes faculty who support the teaching, academic growth and professional development of their colleagues.

• Jessy Alexander, research professor, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Leadership in Teaching and Learning

This award recognizes faculty who share expertise, lead initiatives and advocate for changes that strengthen instructional practice.

• Jessica Kruger, clinical associate professor, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions.

Together, these honorees reflect the many ways UB faculty advance educational excellence through innovation in the classroom, collaboration with colleagues, and a shared commitment to student learning and success.