Sam Wojda and Eleni Christofa Awarded the College Outstanding Teaching Award

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Sam Wojda and Eleni Christofa

The College of Engineering has selected Lecturer Sam Wojda, from the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department, and Associate Professor Eleni Christofa, from the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Department, as the winners of its 2023-24 Outstanding Teaching Award (see COTA awards), established by UMass Amherst as a college-level complement to the campus-wide Distinguished Teaching Award. 

According to an announcement released by College of Engineering Dean Sanjay Raman, “Wojda is a role model of teaching innovation and dedication in the BME department. She has been instrumental in shaping the department since its inception, developing and teaching several core and elective courses with a focus on real-world application and student success. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and a commitment to lifelong learning, traits that are vividly reflected in her course designs and teaching methods, particularly within the BME 414 and 415 Senior Design courses she leads.”

The dean’s announcement added that Wojda’s commitment to student success is evidenced by her stellar student evaluations and the profound impact she has on her students' academic and personal growth. “She achieves this by incorporating numerous inclusive learning strategies in the classroom, catering to a variety of learning preferences, and through her service on the BME Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.” 

The dean’s announcement said that Wojda has also significantly contributed to the BME program’s curriculum development and initial ABET accreditation, ensuring the curriculum’s alignment with ABET standards and relevance to current industry and academic demands. 

“Wojda’s dedication to teaching excellence, combined with her innovative initiatives and genuine care for student development,” said the announcement by the dean’s office, “sets the standard for the College of Engineering.”

According to Dean Raman’s announcement, “Christofa is a trailblazing educator and passionate advocate for sustainability curriculum development within CEE. In her courses, she creates an inclusive environment where students feel empowered to take risks and explore with an open mind.” 

For example, in Christofa’s Transportation Sustainability course, she expanded access to the material by adopting a hybrid classroom and simultaneously engaging students in both modes through interactive sessions. Propelled by her research expertise, Christofa has also developed a curriculum on pedestrians and bicycles within CEE. 

Dean Raman’s announcement concluded that “Christofa has made an indelible impact on her students in her role as faculty advisor for the [UMass Amherst chapter of the] Women's Transportation Seminar and Joint Student Transportation Organization. Students cite her active involvement in both as being instrumental in establishing the inclusive environment in both organizations.” (March 2024)