Seventeen recipients are honored for excellence in teaching
RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has selected 17 outstanding faculty members to receive the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
The award winners represent all 16 of North Carolina’s public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Recipients were nominated by special committees at each institution and selected by the Board of Governors Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs.
“These extraordinary faculty reflect the best of our university System,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy. “They have dedicated their lives to mentoring and inspiring our students, and we celebrate their contributions. Congratulations to all the winners.”
Each of the winners will receive a commemorative bronze medallion and a $12,500 cash prize. The recipients will be honored at each of their institutions at a future date. The winners are:
Appalachian State University
Elizabeth Shay
Associate Professor of Geography and Planning
East Carolina University
Randall Etheridge
Associate Professor of Engineering
Elizabeth City State University
Andre Stevenson
Professor of Social Work and Director of International Studies
Fayetteville State University
Melissa Haithcox-Dennis
Associate Professor of Public Health
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Jessica Han
Professor of Biology
North Carolina Central University
Rachelle Gold
Professor of English
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
John Woodmansee
Instructor of Humanities
NC State University
Katie Sheats
Associate Professor of Equine Primary Care
University of North Carolina Asheville
Patrick Foo
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Valérie Pruvost
Professor and Director of French Language Instruction
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Susana Cisneros
Senior Lecturer of Spanish
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Jeff Sarbaum
Principal Lecturer of Economics
University of North Carolina Pembroke
Jamie Litty
Professor of Mass Communications
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Jared Redick
Assistant Dean of Ballet and Associate Professor
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Diana Ashe
Professor of English
Western Carolina University
Brian Byrd
Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Winston-Salem State University
Eric Greaux
Associate Professor of Religious Studies