Teaching 2025 Penn Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Penn Prize for Teaching Excellence by Graduate Students! Each year, graduate students are nominated by Penn undergraduate and graduate students for their profound impact on teaching at the University.  

This year's call for nominees yielded 82 nominations for 35 graduate student instructors from across the university. Determining 20 finalists and the 10 recipients presented the Committee with many difficult decisions. This year’s Selection Committee was chaired by Professor Evelyn Thomson from the School of Arts & Sciences. She was joined by Professor Michael Posa from the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; and 2 former Penn Prize awardees who are still graduate students. 

The selected students represent the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM), Wharton, and Weitzman School of Design (WSOD). A reception honoring these recipients will be held in the Graduate Student Center on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 

Student quotes: 

• “I've had few professors, many fewer TAs, who put as much intention and effort into their teaching as [this TA]. [They] made every Friday afternoon recitation engaging—[they] brought energy into the room, learned everyone's name, joked with people, and gave knowledgeable and helpful advice in humility. Everything in [their] teaching is done with intention—the student educational and emotional experience is at the forefront of [their ] mind at all times. [They are] a natural, service-based, empathetic leader driven doubly by [their] idealism and love for learning.”

• “[They are] the most effective and supportive TA I have ever had. [Their] friendly and approachable nature makes it easy to ask questions, and they consistently connect class content to cutting-edge research, deepening my understanding. Beyond academics, [they] genuinely care about my personal and professional goals, offering mentorship and guidance. [They have] gone out of [their] way to support me outside of class, whether by discussing research opportunities, providing feedback on projects, or encouraging my long-term aspirations. [Their] dedication to student success makes [them] an outstanding instructor who have had a lasting impact on my learning and growth.”

• “[They were] an exceptional TA—always approachable, patient, and deeply committed to helping students succeed. [They] went above and beyond in and outside of office hours, ensuring everyone felt supported. [Their] review sessions were incredibly effective, covering all topics concisely while reinforcing key concepts. [They] had a unique ability to break down difficult material using clear explanations and creative analogies, making even the most complex topics accessible. [Their] teaching not only improved my understanding but also made the learning process engaging and enjoyable.”

• “[They have] a special talent for keeping students interested while creating a welcoming learning environment for everyone. [Their] presence in my academic life over the years has truly shaped me as a student and fueled my love for learning…the eye-opening experiences I've had with [them] have shown me that I can explore many different paths in academia.”

• “Even though the semester began less than a month ago, [they are] already the best graduate TA that I have ever had….From the very first day of class, [they have] done nothing but reassure me … Just yesterday, [they] pushed my learning by having me stand in front of the class and walk through a very difficult problem. We stood together and I worked through the problem, and knowing that [they were] there for me helped to melt away any anxiety or embarrassment I had about being confused. As I think about all of the TAs I have had over my time at Penn and some of the difficulties I have faced, as well as the lack of care that I have experienced from some teaching teams, I am almost brought to tears by how much [this TA] seems to care about my learning and wellbeing. If I could, I would nominate [them] for this award 100 times over.”