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Four faculty members and five teaching assistants have been named in recognition of their efforts to integrate the health and wellness of their students into their teaching practices.

“Students’ well-being is significantly impacted by their academic experience,” said Shantille Connolly, an organizer of the award and associate director of Health Promotion in Student Health and Counseling Services. “By intentionally weaving compassion, flexibility and holistic support into their class, this year's Aggie Well-Being Champions have created inclusive spaces where every student feels empowered to learn, grow and belong. They are transforming our classrooms into spaces that allow students to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.”

The award recognizes work in four areas:

1. Use policies and practices that promote health and well-being (e.g., set flexible assignment deadlines and make provisions for appropriate attendance flexibility)
2. Improve access to and awareness of health and well-being resources on campus (e.g., highlight health and well-being resources on campus syllabi; actively talk about utilizing campus resources during class)
3. Incorporate accessibility and inclusivity practices to provide an equitable learning experience for all students (e.g., ensuring access to all course materials and learning spaces; using inclusive language; scheduling office hours conducive to students' schedules such as evenings for working students)
4. Take care of their own health and well-being (e.g., encourage and model healthy boundary setting; set communication expectations; share their own challenges and stories)

This is the award’s second year. ; this year the award was expanded to include faculty in the College of Engineering and teaching assistants from any school or college.

“Great teaching is about more than delivering course content,” said Richard Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering. “It’s about creating a learning environment where students feel supported, included and able to succeed. I'm proud to see members of the College of Engineering recognized for the care and commitment they bring to supporting student health and well-being."

Winners of the award are encouraged to include the honor in their merit packages. Organizers also plan to collect best practices from winners in an online library that other instructors can reference.

This year’s winners — as nominated by students and selected by a panel of undergraduates, graduate students and staff members — are:

Instructors

College of Engineering

, associate professor of teaching, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

A nominator said Gentry “creates a learning environment that balances high academic standards with compassion and flexibility,” noting that she shared health and wellness resources on the first day of class, reducing stigma.

Another student wrote that Gentry is supportive of well-being in one-on-one situations.

“On a personal level, I have emailed her during moments of panic or anxiety about exams, and she took the time to respond with compassionate messages encouraging me to breathe, step away and reconnect with the parts of my life outside of school.”

assistant professor of teaching, Department of Chemical Engineering

One nominator wrote that Prado “has mentioned the importance of mental health more times than any other teacher I’ve had;” the student added that Prado models the importance of well-being by mentioning when she is having a challenging day and talking about how she is coping.

College of Biological Sciences

professor, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

A nominator wrote that Combes assigns work that spotlights researchers with varying backgrounds.

“Getting to hear from a wide range of scientists, each person's story resonating with me to varying degrees, was incredible because I haven't had other professors do this to the extent she has. Her explicit and implicit reminders that ANYONE can be a scientist and we are meant to be here has reinforced my sense of belonging within the scientific community.” 

professor, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

A student wrote that Miller was flexible and made himself available to students who had questions: “He taught at a pace that allowed everyone to follow, and he wouldn't move on from a slide unless he was sure every student understood. He incorporated breaks into longer lectures and used personal stories and analogies that made complex concepts easy to understand.”

Teaching assistants

Anca Barcu, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

A nominator wrote that Barcu builds deep connections with students and is very willing to help them: “Anca Barcu is one of the most open and caring individuals I have met at this university. Between maintaining a professional life as a researcher and teacher, and caring for her growing family, she has shown me the path to a better future.”

Alfredo Lopez Aguirre, School of Medicine

A nominator wrote that Lopez Aguirre promotes well-being by being transparent about the stress students face and his own boundaries. He also focuses on being inclusive, the student wrote: “His discussion sections and seminars intentionally create inclusive learning spaces where students’ lived experiences, particularly those of first-generation, immigrant and underrepresented students are validated as sources of knowledge.”

Adam Raffi Guemidjian, School of Medicine

A nominator wrote that Guemidjian eases anxiety around quizzes by making them light-hearted, adding that he “constantly reassures us that it's OK to feel overwhelmed in this class.”

Another student said Guemidjian “has provided a welcoming and safe space for me and my friends to learn, ask questions and learn from our mistakes without being judged.”

Tiffany Chan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering

A student wrote that Chan, who leads the “Navigating Challenges as a Woman in Engineering” First Year Seminar, creates an inclusive environment and promotes health and wellness resources like Aggie Eats and the Women’s Resources and Research Center. “Tiffany is a walking ray of sunshine who brightens every space she enters,” the student wrote. “She is extremely genuine, kind, and caring.”

Satyam Saurabh, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science

A nominator wrote that Saurabh provides flexible office hours and offers many ways for students to reach him with questions. The nominator also said he is encouraging and generous. “He is extremely open and welcoming to many students, including those not under his sections, and a wonderful teaching assistant overall.”