Seventeen faculty members from across North Carolina’s public universities have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Teaching, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors announced.
The honorees were chosen from each of the state’s 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Nominations came from special committees at each institution, with final selections made 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 award recipient will receive a commemorative bronze medallion and a $12,500 cash prize. They will be recognized at ceremonies held by their respective institutions at a later date.
The 2026 awardees are:
– Elizabeth Shay, Associate Professor of Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University
– Randall Etheridge, Associate Professor of Engineering at East Carolina University
– Andre Stevenson, Professor of Social Work and Director of International Studies at Elizabeth City State University
– Melissa Haithcox-Dennis, Associate Professor of Public Health at Fayetteville State University
– Jessica Han, Professor of Biology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
– Rachelle Gold, Professor of English at North Carolina Central University
– John Woodmansee, Instructor of Humanities at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
– Katie Sheats, Associate Professor of Equine Primary Care at NC State University
– Patrick Foo, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC Asheville
– Valérie Pruvost, Professor and Director of French Language Instruction at UNC Chapel Hill
– Susana Cisneros, Senior Lecturer of Spanish at UNC Charlotte
– Jeff Sarbaum, Principal Lecturer of Economics at UNC Greensboro
– Jamie Litty, Professor of Mass Communications at UNC Pembroke
– Jared Redick, Assistant Dean of Ballet and Associate Professor at UNC School of the Arts
– Diana Ashe, Professor of English at UNC Wilmington
– Brian Byrd, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Western Carolina University
– Eric Greaux, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Winston-Salem State University
The awards recognize teaching excellence across disciplines in higher education throughout North Carolina’s public university system.
