Four Indian American educators were among the faculty members recognized during the University of Texas at Dallas’ ninth annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence to honor outstanding teaching and mentoring achievements across the university.
The May 12 ceremony, presented by the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning, recognized faculty members for excellence in instruction, innovation and mentorship. UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe and Provost Inga H. Musselman presented the awards.
Among the honorees was Pankaj Choudhary, who received the President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Graduate/Professional Instruction. Choudhary, a professor of mathematical sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was recognized for sustained excellence in graduate-level teaching.
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Meghna Sabharwal received the Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Graduate Research Mentoring. Sabharwal serves as professor of public and nonprofit management in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and has previously chaired and co-chaired doctoral dissertations while mentoring graduate researchers.
Her research has also examined issues involving public administration, diversity and the experiences of highly educated professionals in India.
Another honoree, Jigarkumar Patel, was recognized as a member of the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers and also received the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, one of the University of Texas System’s highest teaching honors.
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Patel earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Gujarat University in India before completing graduate studies at UT Dallas. University officials credited him with helping improve student outcomes in applied calculus courses through coordinated instruction and peer-led learning strategies.
Amandeep Sra also was named to the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Sra, a professor of instruction in chemistry and biochemistry, previously received the national Centennial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching from Iota Sigma Pi, a chemistry honor society recognizing women in the field.
Moghe emphasized the broader impact educators have on students beyond academics. “Teaching is transformative,” he said, adding that effective instruction helps build students’ confidence and curiosity.