The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named 12 faculty members as recipients of the 2025 Regents Outstanding Teaching Awards. The awards recognize educators from both academic and health institutions within the UT System for their teaching methods and commitment to student learning.
“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.
Established in 2008, the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards program was created to honor faculty at UT academic institutions, later expanding to include health institutions as well. Each award recipient receives a certificate, medallion, and cash prize.
This year’s academic institution honorees 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). Health institution recipients 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).
The awards program aims to highlight faculty who use innovative approaches in their classrooms and make significant contributions to instruction across the UT System.
