The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) has announced the winners of the 2025 Silver Circle Award for Teaching Excellence. This award, established in 1966, recognizes outstanding teachers at UIC. The recipients are honored during their college commencements and receive a $500 prize. Their names join a list of distinguished colleagues who have been recognized over the years.
A unique aspect of this award is its selection committee, which consists of graduating seniors.
The 2025 recipients come from various colleges within UIC:
- College of Applied Health Sciences: Karrie L. Hamstra-Wright, clinical professor in kinesiology and nutrition.
- College of Architecture, Design and the Arts: Michael Seskauskas, visiting instructor in industrial design.
- College of Business Administration: Eva M. Lord, lecturer in accounting.
- College of Education: Stephanie Torres, assistant professor in educational psychology.
- College of Engineering: George P. Maratos, lecturer in computer science.
Several faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were also recognized:
- Jennifer Cabrelli, associate professor in Hispanic and Italian studies.
- Chiara Fabbian, clinical professor in Hispanic and Italian studies.
- Alex Daemicke Hansen, lecturer in biological sciences.
- Jennifer Pajda-De La O; clinical associate professor; mathematics, statistics and computer science
- Alexandra Keinath, assistant professor in psychology.
- Lita Sacks, clinical associate professor in anthropology.
Other winners include Federica Fusi from the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs as an assistant professor specializing in public policy and management analytics; Catherine G. Leipold from the College of Nursing as a visiting clinical instructor at Urbana Regional Campus; and Josh Prudowsky from the School of Public Health as a lecturer for the Public Health Undergraduate Program.
This recognition highlights UIC's commitment to teaching excellence across its diverse academic programs.