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 contributions to teaching and student engagement.
“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 were initially created for academic institutions in the UT System and later expanded to include health institutions. The program aims to honor faculty who demonstrate excellence, innovation, creativity, and commitment in delivering instruction.
Each recipient will receive a certificate, a medallion, and a cash award as recognition for their impact on students.
The honorees 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).
