The University of Georgia announced on Mar. 27 the recipients of the 2026 Creative Teaching Awards, recognizing faculty members for their innovative approaches to teaching and course design that enhance student learning outcomes.
The awards, presented annually by the Office of Instruction, honor faculty who use creative technologies or pedagogies to extend learning beyond traditional classrooms or implement subject matter in ways that improve student success.
Andrew P. Owsiak, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the School of Public and International Affairs, was recognized for his work in courses such as Introduction to International Relations and Research Methods in International Policy. In these classes, Owsiak replaced lectures with hands-on exercises like a UN Security Council simulation on the Rwandan Genocide and collaborative research projects with the U.S. State Department. These activities aimed to bridge academic theory with professional skills development.
Kun Yao, Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering, received an award for redesigning courses including Fundamentals of Circuit Analysis and Electronics I. Yao’s approach required students to create original circuit diagrams meeting specific constraints rather than analyzing instructor-provided examples. This method promoted active engagement and helped identify misconceptions through group discussions and online platforms.
Kimberly Viel-Ruma, Clinical Professor in Communication Sciences and Special Education at Mary Frances Early College of Education, was honored for integrating mixed-reality simulation into her Inclusion of Students with Special Needs course. The technology allowed teacher candidates to practice teaching virtual student avatars—a solution particularly valuable given limited field experience opportunities—and included video analysis sessions to foster reflective practice.
Michelle A. Ritchie, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Disaster Management in the College of Public Health, earned recognition for her Disaster Policy course design. Through activities like concept mapping and debates culminating in a Stakeholder Summit using campus survey data, students developed hazard mitigation strategies presented directly to university officials.
The awards highlight ongoing efforts by University of Georgia faculty to adapt teaching methods that prepare students more effectively for real-world challenges.
