Faculty Award Winners
The UTAA recognizes more than 30 faculty members annually who demonstrate a passion for teaching, a commitment to public service and a dedication to each campus and its students.
Award Winners
Learn more about the 2026 UTAA Faculty Award recipients and their impact on their campus, communities and students.
View the Award VideoMs. Emily Alonge
Associate Lecturer
Department of Chemistry and Physics
UT Chattanooga College of Arts and Sciences
Mr. Michael C. Standard
Assistant Professor
Library – Research and Public Services
UT Chattanooga Library
Dr. Stanley R. Crunk
Assistant Professor
Department of General Dentistry
UT Health Sciences College of Dentistry
Dr. Michael L. Weitzeil
Instructor and Program Director
Department of Diagnostic and Health Sciences
UT Health Sciences College of Health Professionals
Dr. Ahmedullah Aziz
Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
UT Knoxville Tickle College of Engineering
Dr. Robyn A. Brookshire
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Theory and Practice in Teach Education
UT Knoxville College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Dr. Laura M. Cupples
Teaching Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy
UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Tore C. Olsson
Associate Professor
Department of History
UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Austin S. Ferrell
Assistant Professor
Department of Educational Studies
UT Martin College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Saman Sargolzaei
Associate Professor of Park Management and Heritage Interpretation
Department of Engineering
UT Martin College of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Ms. Cynthia W. Young
Program Coordinator, Grow Your Own, Adjunct Faculty
Department of Education
UT Southern Grissom School of Education
Mrs. Julia N. Bursch
Chief Operating Officer
UT Chattanooga Research Institute
Dr. Janine A. Al-Aseer
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
UT Knoxville College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Dr. Steven M. Doettl
Professor
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology
UT Health Sciences College of Health Professions
Dr. Cathy A. Stevens
Professor, Director of Pediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
UT Health Sciences College of Medicine at Chattanooga
Dr. Elizabeth E. Schussler
Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Dawnie W. Steadman
Professor
Department of Anthropology
UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Alicia E. Maya Donaldson
Professor, BSSW Social Work Program Director
Department of Behavioral Sciences
UT Martin College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Philip L. Smartt
Professor of Park Management and Heritage Interpretation
Department of Agriculture, Geoscience and Natural Resources
UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences