Twelve faculty members from The University of Texas System have been recognized with the 2025 Regents Outstanding Teaching Awards. The recipients represent both academic and health institutions within the UT System and were selected for their notable classroom engagement and innovative teaching approaches.
“The Board of Regents is proud to recognize these educators for their dedication to the core values of teaching excellence and student success. We are truly grateful for the role they play in preparing and inspiring the next generation of Texas leaders and innovators,” said UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife.
The Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards, first established in 2008 for academic institutions and later expanded to include health institutions, aim to honor faculty who demonstrate excellence, innovation, creativity, and commitment in delivering high-quality instruction. Each awardee receives a certificate, a medallion, and a cash prize as recognition for their impact on students.
The 2025 awardees from academic institutions are: Jigarkumar Sureshbhai Patel (UT Dallas), Carolina Valencia (UT El Paso), James Francis Adams (Stephen F. Austin State University), Karen Magruder (UT Arlington), Lela Vukovic (UT El Paso), Adam McGuire (UT Tyler), Vernita Gordon (UT Austin), and Mohsen Shahandashti (UT Arlington).
Recipients from health institutions include Margarita Vasquez (UT Health Science Center at San Antonio), Shalizeh “Shelly” Patel (UT Health Science Center at Houston), Craig Sisson (UT Health Science Center at San Antonio), and Clifton Fuller (UT MD Anderson Cancer Center).
