Sargent and Spector Receive 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award

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The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to announce the 2025 SBS Outstanding Teaching Award recipients. This award, established in 1995 to recognize exceptional teaching performance, is a testament to the awardees’ efforts to provide students with a positive, transformative educational experience. This year’s honorees are: 

Brian Sargent
Assistant Professor, School of Public Policy and Department of Sociology

Professor Sargent has distinguished himself as a transformative educator and mentor whose impact spans undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in both Sociology and the School of Public Policy. Renowned for his inclusive, rigorous, and deeply student-centered teaching style, he consistently goes above and beyond expectations, creating a fantastic learning environment for his students. 

Professor Sargent has taught large service courses with more than 300 students, cross-listed graduate seminars, and innovative courses addressing race, class, and public administration. His pedagogy emphasizes student well-being, sociological reasoning, and real-time responsiveness to injustice. He creates affirming spaces where students feel seen, heard, and intellectually engaged. Former students and teaching assistants credit him with boosting their confidence, shaping their scholarly identities, and modeling empathetic, inclusive teaching practices.

His commitment extends far beyond the classroom. Professor Sargent has mentored students through personal and academic challenges, organized departmental efforts to improve racial climate, and led antiracist initiatives in both departments. Students repeatedly cite his support as critical to their persistence in graduate school and their personal growth.

Professor Sargent’s leadership has inspired changes in curriculum, recruitment, and departmental culture. His devotion to mentoring (described as “sacred”) has resulted in extensive service on committees, frequent student advocacy, and a “Brian fan club” among graduate students.

Whether guiding first-years, supporting Black students navigating systemic barriers, or championing inclusive pedagogy, Professor Sargent exemplifies the best of SBS teaching and mentorship.

Regine Spector
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science

Professor Spector is widely recognized for her exceptional teaching, mentorship, and leadership across undergraduate and graduate education. Her courses, ranging from Central Asian politics to comparative political economy, combine intellectual rigor with inclusive pedagogy, engaging students through group projects, multimedia content, and critical discussion rooted in equity and global justice.

Students consistently describe Professor Spector as transformative. She empowers undergraduates, especially students who are first-generation, BIPOC, and/or women, to explore ambitious research and public service goals. Her mentorship has directly led students to Fulbright awards, academic publications, research conferences, and civic engagement projects including documentaries and policy reports on environmental justice. One student noted that Professor Spector was the first faculty member who made them feel like their voice mattered in academia.

At the graduate level, Professor Spector is equally dedicated. She co-creates syllabi that reflect diverse voices, tailors assignments to students’ research interests, and offers deep one-on-one mentoring, even during school breaks or international fieldwork. Her thoughtful, practical support has helped students refine dissertation topics, succeed on comprehensive exams, and land academic jobs.

She also models inclusive departmental leadership. Professor Spector has led significant curricular reforms, organized student-centered events, and improved exam structures to ensure greater equity. Her support doesn’t end at graduation, as she continues to collaborate on publications and professional development well after students leave campus.

Through her compassionate mentorship, innovative teaching, and tireless advocacy, Professor Spector exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator. Her students’ success stories are a powerful testament to her impact.

The SBS Outstanding Teaching Award is presented annually to a full-time faculty member traching within the College for at least three years. Awardees are nominated by their colleagues and students. Please visit the SBS Faculty Awards page to learn about the complete award requirements and see a list of all past winners.