Five faculty members from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been honored with 2026 George Mason University Teaching Excellence Awards from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.
University Teaching Excellence Award recipients are selected for the significant work they devote to course planning and preparation, curriculum development, innovative teaching, advising, and undergraduate and graduate mentoring. Those recognized as Teachers of Distinction are faculty members who have been finalists for the Teaching Excellence Award and are recognized across campus for their exceptional teaching and commitment to teaching-related activities.
The winners will be recognized at the 2026 Celebration of Teaching Excellence ceremony on April 13.
This year’s recipients include:
David J. King Teaching Award
Lisa Gring-Pemble, Department of Communication, received the David J. King Teaching Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has made significant, long-term contributions to the overall educational excellence of the university.
Teacher of Distinction
Steph Liberatore, English
Online Teaching Excellence Award
Susan Howard, School of Integrative Studies
Online Teacher of Distinction
Andrew Novak, Criminology, Law and Society
Adjunct Teacher of Distinction
Hilah Kaufman, Psychology