Distinguished Teaching Award
The Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) was established to recognize faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching at Cal Poly. Only students and alumni,
those who have been influenced most by faculty, are eligible to submit nominations. Then, a committee of faculty members evaluate nominees based on written documentation and in-class visitations. Awardees are announced at the end of the academic year and are honored by the university at
several important end-of-the-year events.
The 2023-2024 Distinguished Teaching Award Nomination Period is now closed
Any student or alumnus may submit any number of nominations. The nomination must include the faculty member's name, department and supporting statements explaining why the faculty member deserves the award. Selection criteria are listed below:
Selection Criteria:
- Content and quality of material presented
- Teaching procedures that contribute to student interest, enthusiasm, achievement, and that stimulates thinking
- Techniques that show excellence in teaching
- Innovative instructional approaches
- A high degree of interaction with students
- High personal and professional standards
- Clear and well-organized activities, lectures, or labs
- Concern for individual student success
- Fair, rigorous methods for evaluating students' progress, evidence of significant professional development as it relates to teaching excellence
Please Note:
- Only full-time, tenured faculty members who are teaching during the current academic year and have not previously won the award are eligible.
The Distinguished Teaching Award is supported financially by the Cal Poly Alumni Association.
2022-2023 Award Recipients
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 |
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Mathematics, BCSM |
Chemistry and Biochemistry, BCSM |
Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts, CLA |
Previous Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients
The Distinguished Teaching Award was established in 1963. Since then, two to five faculty have been recognized for the award each academic year. Below is a comprehensive list of faculty who have won the award since 1990. Remember that previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated again.
| Year | Name | Department | College |
| 2021-2022 | Anahid Behrouzi | Architectural Engineering | CAED |
| Philip Costanzo | Chemistry and Biochemistry | BCSM | |
| Nishanta 'Nishi' Rajakaruna | Biological Sciences | BCSM | |
| 2020-2021 | Brad Campbell | English | CLA |
| Francisco Fernflores | Philosophy | CLA | |
| Jenn Yost | Biological Sciences | CSM | |
| 2019-2020 | Aaron Keen | Computer Science | CENG |
| Matthew Hopper | History | CLA | |
| 2018-19 | John Chen | Mechanical Engineering | CENG |
| Dale Clifford | Architecture | CAED | |
| 2017-18 | Thomas Fowler | Architecture | CAED |
| Edward Himelblau | Biological Sciences | CSM | |
| Francis Villablanca | Biological Sciences | CSM | |
| 2016-17 | Brian Kennelly | World Languages and Cultures | CLA |
| Elizabeth Lowham | Political Science | CLA | |
| Anthony Mendes | Mathematics | CSM | |
| 2015-16 | Karen Christian-Muñoz | Modern Languages and Cultures | CLA |
| Robert Clark | Kinesiology | CSM | |
| Soma Roy | Statistics | CSM | |
| 2014-15 | Todd Grundmeier | Mathematics | CSM |
| Sandy Stannard | Architecture | CAED | |
| Dustin Stegner | English | CLA | |
| 2013-14 | Pat Fidopiastis | Biological Sciences | CSM |
| Matthew Moore | Political Science | CLA | |
| Camille O'Bryant | Kinesiology | CSM | |
| 2012-13 | Seth Bush | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSM |
| Jaymie Noland | Animal Science | CAFES | |
| Dylan Retsek | Mathematics | CSM | |
| 2011-12 | Matt Ritter | Biological Sciences | CSM |
| Emily Taylor | Biological Sciences | CSM | |
| Umut Toker | City and Regional Planning | CAED | |
| 2010-11 | Thomas Davies | Music | CLA |
| Thomas Di Santo | Architecture | CAED | |
| 2009-10 | Eric Kantorowski | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSM |
| Kevin Taylor | Kinesiology | CSM | |
| 2008-09 | Josh Machamer | Theatre and Dance | CLA |
| Derek Gragson | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSM | |
| 2007-08 | Michael Fahs | Communication Studies | CLA |
| Michael Lucas | Architecture | CAED | |
| Charles "Tad" Miller | Accounting | OCOB | |
| 2006-07 | William Fitzhenry | English | CLA |
| Elena Keeling | Biological Sciences | CSM | |
| Donald Ryujin | Psychology | CLA | |
| 2005-06 | Yarrow Nelson | Civil and Environmental Engineering | CENG |
| Mary Armstrong | English/Women's Studies | CLA | |
| Michael Miller | Art and Design | CLA | |
| 2004-05 | Fred DePiero | Electrical Engineering | CENG |
| John Hampsey | English | CLA | |
| David Headrick | Horticulture and Crop Science | CAFES | |
| 2003-04 | Matt Moelter | Physics | CSM |
| Bob Smidt | Statistics | CSM | |
| Nanine Van Draanen | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSM | |
| 2002-03 | Alvin De Jong | Biological Sciences | CSM |
| Bernard Duffy | Speech Communication | CLA | |
| Linda Vanasupa | Materials Engineering | CENG | |
| 2001-02 | Kevin Clark | English | CLA |
| Alyson McLamore | Music | CLA | |
| Mark Zohns | BioResource and Ag Engineering | CAFES | |
| 2000-01 | Sky Bergman | Art and Design | CLA |
| Phillip Doub | Food Science and Nutrition | CAFES | |
| William Martinez | Modern Languages and Literature | CLA | |
| 1999-00 | Michael Geringer | Global Strategy and Law | OCOB |
| Brent Hallock | Soil Science | CAED | |
| Clint Staley | Computer Science | CENG | |
| 1998-99 | Colette Fraybne | Global Strategy and Law | OCOB |
| Carol MacCurdy | English | CLA | |
| Leonard Myers | Computer Science | CENG | |
| 1997-98 | John Culver | Political Science | CLA |
| Jay DeNatale | Civl & Enviornmental Engineering | CENG | |
| David Henry | Speech | CLA | |
| 1996-97 | Leonard Davidman | UCTE | UCTE |
| Alfred Landwehr | English | CLA | |
| Robert Thompson | Agribusiness | CAFES | |
| 1995-96 | David Keeling | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CSM |
| John G. Russell | Music | CLA | |
| Richard Simon | English | CLA | |
| 1994-95 | Ronald F. Brown | Physics | CSM |
| Lee Burgunder | Global Strategy and Law | OCOB | |
| Nancy Lucas | English | CLA | |
| 1993-94 | William Little | Modern Languages & Literatures | CLA |
| Steven Marx | English | CLA | |
| Raymond Nakamura | P.E. and Kinesiology | CSM | |
| 1992-93 | Susan Duffy | Speech Communication | CLA |
| Donald Maas | UCTE | UCTE | |
| Charles Slem | Psyc. & Human Development | CLA | |
| 1991-92 | Mary Pedersen | Food Science & Nutrition | CAFES |
| Joh Snetsinger | History | CLA | |
| Fred Stultz | Psyc. & Human Development | CLA | |
| 1990-91 | Jay Devoore | Statistics | OCOB |
| Linda Halisky | English | CLA | |
| Ann Morgan | Psyc. & Human Development | CLA | |
| Jim Simek | Chemistry | CSM |